Oscillator strengths for transitions to Rydberg levels in $^{12}C^{16}O$, $^{13}C^{16}O$ and $^{13}C^{18}O$ between 967 and 972 A

Abstract

Absorption oscillator strengths have been determined from high-resolution spectra in the 967-972 à region of three CO isotopomers for transitions to the Rydberg levels 4{\it p$π$}(0), 3{\it d$π$}(1) and 4{\it p$σ$}(0), as well as to the mixed {\it E(6)} level recently characterized by Eidelsberg et al. (2004). Synchrotron radiation from the Super-ACO electron storage ring at Orsay (LURE) was used as a light source. Oscillator strengths were extracted from the recorded spectra by least-squares fitting of the experimental profiles with synthetic spectra taking into account the homogeneous and heterogeneous interactions of the four levels. Column densities were derived from fits to the 3{\it p$π$}(0) absorption band whose oscillator strength is well established. These are the first reported measurements for $^{13}$C$^{18}$O. For $^{12}$C$^{16}$O, our results are consistent with the larger values obtained in the most recent laboratory and astronomical studies.

9 pages 7 figures 3 tables. Accepted in A&A, date of acceptance 11/05/2004