Electromagnetic Absorption By Water - Electronic Spectrum

Electronic Spectrum

The electronic transitions of the water molecule lie in the vacuum ultraviolet region. For water vapor the bands have been assigned as follows.

  • 65 nm band - many different electronic transitions, photo-ionization, photodissociation
  • discrete features between 115 and 180 nm
    • set of narrow bands between 115 and 125 nm
      Rydberg series: 1b1 (n2) → many different Rydberg states and 3a1 (n1) → 3sa1 Rydberg state
    • 128 nm band
      Rydberg series: 3a1 (n1) → 3sa1 Rydberg state and 1b1 (n2) → 3sa1 Rydberg state
    • 166.5 nm band
      1b1 (n2) → 4a11*-like orbital)
At least some of these transitions result in photodissociation of water into H+OH. Among them the best known is that at 166.5 nm.

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