Theoretical study of the dipole moment function of the X2Sigma(+) state of CN

The X2Sigma(+) state dipole moment function of CN is determined from accurate ab initio calculations. The calculated Einstein coefficient of 13.0 /s for the fundamental 1-0 vibrational band is in excellent agreement with the value measured by Treffers (1975) using a King furnace. The theoretical vibrational band strengths should be valuable in interpreting the fluorescence spectrum of CN in comets.