Knowledge Bank

We are conducting experiments on the DESIRS beam-line at the SOLEIL Synchrotron to acquire the necessary data on oscillator strengths and predissociation rates for modeling CO photochemistry in astronomical environments. A VUV Fourier Transform Spectrometer provides a resolving power of about 350,000, allowing us to discern individual lines in electronic transitions. Here we focus on results for six overlapping bands seen in spectra of $\mathrm{<mrow\; data-mjx-texclass="ORD">12</mrow>}$C$\mathrm{<mrow\; data-mjx-texclass="ORD">16</mrow>}$O and compare them with earlier determinations. Absorption from the ground electronic level, $X$ $1\Sigma +$ $v\prime \prime = 0$, to the upper levels 4p$\pi$(2), II $1\Pi$, 4p$\sigma$(2), 5p$\pi$(0), 5p$\sigma$(0), and I $1\Pi$ was analyzed. Our results are the first to provide data on each band. The spectra also reveal a continuum feature that was modeled, but its identification is not known at the present time.