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Intensity Distribution of the Lyman–Birge–Hopfield Band System of N2

Abstract

RECENT rocket investigations of the vacuum, ultraviolet radiation emitted from the aurora and airglow have shown up the need for laboratory measurements of molecular band intensities in this spectral region. Such laboratory investigations have until now been hampered by a lack of suitable intensity standards. One prominent band system of importance in this region is the Lyman–Birge–Hopfield (LBH) (a 1IIgX 1Σ+g) system of N2, which lies between 2000 Å and 1200 Å. It has recently been observed in auroral spectra taken by rocket-borne spectrometers1,2. The only laboratory measurements of intensities of bands of the LBH system in emission are estimates of photographic plate blackenings3, where no account has been taken of variation of instrumental response with wave-length.

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MCEWEN, D., NICHOLLS, R. Intensity Distribution of the Lyman–Birge–Hopfield Band System of N2. Nature 209, 902 (1966). https://doi.org/10.1038/209902a0

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