Absorption Spectrum of CO in the Vacuum Ultraviolet Region

Using the continua of the rare gases and the hydrogen continuum as background, we investigated the absorption spectrum of CO in the region 1070–2500 A. Most of the intercombination bands expected in this region were observed, and the a—X, a′—X, and e—X bands were extended to v′=5, 21, and 17, respectively. The d—X bands, observed for the first time, were extended to v′=21, and the fourth positive bands were extended to v′=20. A brief discussion on the dissociation energy of the molecule is presented.