This project's main objective is to make accurate photoabsorption cross sections of molecular nitrogen and oxygen in the wavelength region 80-105 nm. This region absorbs solar radiation between 100 and 240 km, and is the primary source of physical processes such as excitation, dissociation, and ionization. To completely understand basic principles of atmospheric processes, the PI will study how the solar flux is absorbed by thermospheric molecules. He will accurately determine photoabsorption cross sections in the laboratory under conditions representative of the atmospheric region where the absorption occurs.
