Critical Survey of Data on the Spectroscopy and Kinetics of Ozone in the Mesosphere and Thermosphere

Abstract

Spectroscopic data and reaction rate coefficients pertinent to ozone in the mesosphere and thermosphere (altitude >50 km) are critically surveyed. These data should be of use in modeling atmospheric infrared luminescence, measuring atmospheric ozone concentrations by remote sensing, and designing and interpreting laboratory measurements. There is a clear need for additional data on metastable ozone electronic states, additional atmospheric ozone formation channels, collision processes involving electrons and ions, and vibrational state dependence of reaction rate coefficients.