Absorption spectra for the 1(2)B(1) - (X) over tilde (2)A(1) transition of the phenyl radical have been recorded using the technique of cavity ring-down spectroscopy. The radicals were produced by an electric discharge through Ar/C6H5Br mixtures and cooled by supersonic expansion. Partially resolved rotational structure was observed for the 0(0)(0), 9(0)(1), and 10(0)(1) bands, and excited state rotational constants were derived from these data. For the 9(0)(1) band, homogeneous line broadening was indicative of an excited state lifetime of 96 ps. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.