The quantum yield for the production of O(1D) by photodissociation of O2 was measured in the 1160–1770 Å wavelength region. For wavelengths longer than 1390 Å, the quantum yields are unity and constant, with a sharp cutoff at about 1750 Å. For wavelengths shorter than 1390 Å, the O(1D) quantum yields depend strongly on wavelength. The positions of many of the structures correspond to Rydberg states identified by various authors, and the data show by which of the two principal dissociative channels, O(3P)+O(3P) or O(1D)+O(3P), the excited molecules predissociate. The total oxygen atom yields were also measured and clearly show that all photon absorption leads to dissociation in the spectral region studied. Possible identification of absorption to the 3Πu valence state has been made, with a peak at 1356 Å (9.14 eV).

The O(1S) yield from O3 photodissociation is measured in the 1700–2400 Å region using synchrotron radiation as a light source. An upper limit for the yield is set at 0.1% for the entire photon energy range. This small quantum yield indicates that the contribution of O(1S) to atmospheric OH production is not significant.