The Absorption Spectrum of Ethylene Oxide in the Vacuum Ultraviolet

Abstract

The spectrum of ethylene oxide was investigated from the visible down to about 600A, with high resolution in the vacuum region. No discontinuous absorption was found above 1713A. Two Rydberg series, beginning at 1435 and 1382A were found, which converge to the same ionization potential at about 10.81 ev. Two non-Rydberg transitions were found, with origins apparently at 1713.4 and 1572.4A. An analysis and discussion is made of the spectrum. It is concluded that the Rydberg transitions arise by excitation from a molecular bonding orbital, very similar to one responsible for Rydberg series in ethylene and related compounds.