Experimental Oscillator Strength of the Comet-Tail System of CO+

The radiative lifetimes (τv′) of the upper electronic state of the comet-tail bands of CO+ have been measured. There is an appreciable variation (about 50%) of τv′ with v′, the upper electronic state vibrational quantum number. By using an average τ = (2.6)10—6 sec, and an average frequency corresponding to 4200 A an oscillator strength f = (2.2±0.5)10—3 is calculated. The uncertainty arises largely because of the observed lifetime variation with v′.