Oxygen absorption cross sections in the herzberg continuum and between 206 and 327 K

The ultraviolet absorption cross sections for molecular oxygen have been determined for wavelengths between 205 and 225 nm, for temperatures between 206 and 327 K, and at a pressure from 100 to 750 torr. No temperature effect on the O2 cross sections was observed in the Herzberg continuum. It was necessary to separate the extremely weak O2 absorption from the stronger collision‐induced absorption. These experimental data and similar data by others were interpreted in terms of a theoretical expression for the shape of the Herzberg continuum absorption spectrum. The O2 absorption cross sections are in good agreement with the values measured in the stratosphere by Herman and Mentall (1982).