Abstract
The absorption cross-sections of water vapor and oxygen were measured, using a low-pressure radio frequency discharge through traces of hydrogen in argon as a light source for Ly(α) radiation. The cross-sections are σH2O = 1.59 × 10−17 cm2 and σO2 = 1.13 × 10−20 + 1.72 × 10−23 for water and oxygen, respectively, where P is the oxygen pressure in units of Torr. Ly(α) lamps, such as used for this work, are important light sources for photochemical laboratory work and find applications for trace-gas detection in the atmosphere. For the latter application, accurate cross-sections of water vapor and oxygen are needed.
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Kley, D. Ly(α) absorption cross-section of H2O and O2 . J Atmos Chem 2, 203–210 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00114132
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00114132