Hyperfine predissociation of the B state of Cl2

Thanks to lifetime measurements, we give evidence of a predissociation of the v≥13, J=0 levels of the B state of Cl2. This weak predissociation is interpreted as a hyperfine predissociation, comparable to the ones observed in Br2 and I2. Moreover, the radiative lifetime of the v=12 level has been found closed to 1200 μs.