Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Improved Ultraviolet And Infrared Oscillator Strengths For Oh+, James N. Hodges, Dror M. Bittner, Peter F. Bernath

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications

Molecular ions are key reaction intermediates in the interstellar medium. OH⁺ plays a central role in the formation of more complex chemical species and for estimating the cosmic ray ionization rate in astrophysical environments. Here, we use a recent analysis of a laboratory spectrum in conjunction with ab initio methods to calculate infrared and ultraviolet oscillator strengths. These new oscillator strengths include branch dependent intensity corrections, arising from the Herman–Wallis effect, that have not been included before. We estimate 10% total uncertainty in the UV and 6% total uncertainty in the IR for the oscillator strengths.