Dissociation of Molecular Oxygen in the Schumann-Runge Bands

J. E. Frederick Laboratory for Planetary Atmospheres. NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD 20771

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R. D. Hudson Laboratory for Planetary Atmospheres. NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD 20771

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Abstract

Oscillator strengths and predissociation linewidths deduced in recent studies predict a dissociation rate for O2 in the Schumann-Runge bands which is significantly larger in the upper stratosphere and lower mesosphere than previously believed. Error bars on molecular parameters required in the cross-section calculation translate into uncertainties in the dissociation rate which are less than ±10% at all altitudes where the Schumann-Runge bands are agronomically significant.

Abstract

Oscillator strengths and predissociation linewidths deduced in recent studies predict a dissociation rate for O2 in the Schumann-Runge bands which is significantly larger in the upper stratosphere and lower mesosphere than previously believed. Error bars on molecular parameters required in the cross-section calculation translate into uncertainties in the dissociation rate which are less than ±10% at all altitudes where the Schumann-Runge bands are agronomically significant.

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