New magnetic dipole transition of the oxygen molecule: Bʹ³Πg←X ³Σg⁻(0,0)

Roberts, E. H.; Nixon, K. L.; Dedman, C. J.; Gibson, S. T.; Lewis, B. R.

New magnetic dipole transition of the oxygen molecule: Bʹ³Πg←X ³Σg⁻(0,0)

Date

2002-04-01

Authors

Roberts, E. H.

Nixon, K. L.

Dedman, C. J.

Gibson, S. T.

Lewis, B. R.

Publisher

American Institute of Physics (AIP)

Abstract

Through the use of isotopically pure gas at a temperature of 77 K, a weak photoabsorption band of ¹⁶O₂ is found near 1856 Å, underlying the stronger Schumann–Runge (SR) band B³Σ−u←X³Σ−g(8,0). The location, structure, and intensity of this new band are consistent with expectation for the magnetic dipole transitionB′ ³Πg←X³Σ−g(0,0), where the designation B′ is chosen to represent the II ³Πg valence state. This electronic transition contributes to the “excess absorption” underlying the SR bands [B. R. Lewis, S. T. Gibson, and E. H. Roberts, J. Chem. Phys. 115, 245 (2001)].