Study of the Absorption Characteristics of Molecular Oxygen in the Schumann-Runge System at High Temperatures: II. Experiment and Comparison with Calculation

Absorption cross sections of oxygen molecules in the UV spectral range are experimentally determined in the temperature range 1600-6000 K. The absorption cross sections are measured in oxygen or in its mixtures with argon behind the shock wave front. Measurements are performed for the spectral range 190-270 nm, which pertains to the electronic transition X-3 Sigma(-)(g) -> B-3 Sigma(-)(u) of the Schumann-Runge system. The absorption cross sections are also measured at temperatures 291 and 3300 K in the range 160-185 nm. The measured absorption cross sections are compared with the calculated spectra of the O-2 molecule.