On the New Absorption Bands of the Oxygen Molecule in the Far Ultraviolet Region

Abstract

The absorption bands of the oxygen molecule in the extreme ultraviolet region were studied using a 3-meter grazing incidence vacuum spectrograph. Two new progressions of bands were found in the region between 1200A and 1290A (one of which is considered to be a member of the Rydberg series converging to the first ionization potential of the oxygen molecule). There were also observed a few short continua near the short wavelength end of the Schumann-Runge absorption continuum. The behavior of three strong and diffuse bands, at 1200∼1290A, were studied at pressures ranging from 0.01 to several mm of Hg. Assuming the diffuseness of these bands as being due to predissociation, the existence of oxygen atoms in 1S metastable states in the upper atmosphere is briefly discussed.