Absorption spectra of all-trans carotenoids (lycopene, violaxanthin, zeta-carotene) at low temperature exhibit peculiar features in the UV range. The transition to the 1(1)A(g)(+) state ('cis-band') weakens on cooling, indicating that it is induced by thermal deformations of the conjugated chain. The higher energy band has unique vibrational structure indicating the vibronic coupling of nB(u) with another electronic state. The electroabsorption spectra point to the electric field-induced mixing of the nB(u) state with the vibrational continuum of a lower-lying excited state (Fano effect). These observations widen the basis for elucidation of the vibronic coupling effects in the lower excited states. (C) 2013 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.