Knowledge Bank

Absorption transients in the Hartley band induced by $CO2$ TEA laser irradiation of the $\nu 3$ mode of ozone have been observed in recent $studies1,2$; an account of the ongoing work in our laboratory is presented. New results include information on the spectral profiles of $\nu 1-,\nu 2-$, and $\nu 3$-excited ozone and on the rapid $\nu 3\leftrightarrow \nu 1$ energy transfer rate. The spectral model which we present readily parameterizes the temperature-dependence of the Hartley band and provides a simple, spectroscopic means of measuring laser energy deposition. In a preliminary theoretical treatment of the Hartley band expressions for the width and mean frequency of an electronic spectrum are derived which may be useful in the analysis of a wide range of continuum spectra. The ``reflection principle’’ approximation is seen to require modification in order to be consistent with the derived expressions.