The Potential Energy Curve for the B3∑−u State of Oxygen and Accurate Franck-Condon Factors for the Schumann-Runge Bands

Abstract A single potential energy curve for the B 3 ∑ − u state of oxygen has been determined using the Rydberg-Klein-Rees method with spectroscopic constants of 16 O 2 , 16 O, 18 O and 18 O 2 . Accurate Franck-Condon factors (FCFs) of the Schumann-Runge system ( B 3 ∑ − u − X 3 ∑ − g ) of oxygen have been calculated, which cover 16 vibrational levels for the upper B 3 ∑ − u state and 19 for the lower X 3 ∑ − g state. Agreement between this study and earlier results for the potential energy curve and the FCFs is excellent.