Oxygen dimerization and pressure dependence of the absorption cross-section in the Herzberg continuum

Abstract

Using experimental data available on the dependence of the absorption cross-section of O 2 on pressure in the Herzberg continuum, the equilibrium constant of oxygen dimerization has been estimated. The results show that the formation of the oxygen dimer, if it occurs according to the equilibrium constant calculated from the second virial coefficient, cannot account for the pressure dependence of the absorption cross-section of oxygen.