A laser photoacoustic technique has been used to measure the absorption spe
ctrum of HCN in the region from 11 390 to 13 020 cm(-1) with a resolution t
hat is limited by the Doppler- and pressure-broadened linewidth. This is a
very sensitive technique that has allowed us to measure very weak bands wit
h a small volume of gas. These measurements provide the rovibrational const
ants for a number of newly observed vibrational energy levels. (C) 2000 Aca
demic Press.