Study of hot bands in the B^2∑u^＋ -X^2∑g^＋ system of C2^- anion

Optical heterodyne magnetic rotation enhanced velocity modulation spectroscopy was employed to observe the visible absorption spectra of the B^2∑u^ -X^2∑g^ electronic transition of C2^-. Four hot bands (0,1), (1,2), (2,3) and (3,4) have been observed and the band (3,4) is measured directly for the first time, so far as we know, by absorption. A rotational analysis was carried out to obtain molecular constants. With the Franck-Condon principle and the vibrational Boltzmann distribution, we have estimated the vibrational temperature of C2^- to be about 3000K.