Predissociation linewidths of the (1,0)-(12,0) Schumann-Runge absorption bands of O2 in the wavelength region 179-202 nm

A nonlinear least-squares method of retrieving predissociation linewidths from the experimental absolute absorption cross sections of Yoshino et al. (1983) has been applied to the (1,0)-(12,0) Schumann-Runge bands of oxygen. The predissociation linewidths deduced are larger than the theoretical predictions of Julienne (1976) and the latest measurements of Lewis et al. (1986). The larger linewidths found will have an impact on calculations of solar flux penetration into the earth atmosphere and of the photodissociation rates of trace species in the upper atmosphere.