Dissociation of Molecular Oxygen in the Schumann-Runge Bands

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.