Absolute optical oscillator strengths (11–20 eV) and transition moments for the photoabsorption of molecular hydrogen in the Lyman and Werner bands

Abstract

The recently developed high resolution dipole (e, e) method has been used to measure the absolute optical oscillator strengths for discrete and continuum transitions for the photoabsorption of molecular hydrogen throughout the valence shell region, in the energy range 11–20 eV. Absolute optical oscillator strengths for the vibrational transitions of the Lyman and Werner bands are determined and compared with available experimental and theoretical data. The variation of the electronic transition moment with internuclear distance is studied for the Lyman and Werner bands. The present oscillator strengths and transition moments are in excellent agreement with the highest levels of theory. Finally the dipole strengths of both bands at the equilibrium internuclear distance (0.741 Å) are also reported.