Jet-cooled laser-induced dispersed fluorescence spectroscopy of ScN: Observation of a3Σ+ state

► Dispersed fluorescence studies in jet-cooled ScN carried out. ► Ground and low-energy states up to ∼10 000 cm−1 characterised. ► First excited state, a3Σ+ predicted by ab initio calculations, observed. ► Harmonic and anharmonic wavenumbers for ground and low-energy states determined. ► RKR potential energy curves constructed.