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Similar populations have been observed between the A and X states of the CN radical, formed in the C+N2O chemical reaction. Relative vibrational populations were measured by laser-induced fluorescence (X state) and chemiluminescence (A state). The electronic branching ratio was then obtained by assuming a Boltzmann equilibrium between the v‘=4–6 and v’=1–4 levels of the X and A states. This assumption was checked by absolute calibration of the number densities of both states. About 1/3 of the radicals were found in the A state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]