The lifetime of the b (1)Pi(u)(v=1) state in N-14(2) has been determined experimentally using a laser-based pump-probe scheme and an exceptionally long lifetime of 2.61 ns was found. Semiempirical close-coupling calculations of the radiative lifetime, which include Rydberg-valence interactions in the singlet manifold, are consistent with this large value, giving a value of 3.61 ns and suggesting a predissociation yield of similar to28% for this level of the b state. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics.