3Σu?-3Σu+ coupling in the O2B3Σu? predissociation

The role of $\text{B}{}^3\text{Σ}{}_{\mathrm{u}}{}^{\mathrm{?}}\text{-2}{}^3\text{Σ}{}_{\mathrm{u}}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$ spin-orbit mixing in the O₂ Schumann-Runge predissociation is investigated. The $\text{2}{}^3\text{Σ}{}_{\mathrm{u}}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$ state is found to cross the $\text{B}{}^3\text{Σ}{}_{\mathrm{u}}{}^{\mathrm{?}}$ state near 2.0 Å with an interaction matrix element of approximately 55 cm^?1. This state contributes to the widths of the Bv ≥ 6 levels, but introduces only small level shift perturbations. When the partial widths due to the ${}^3\text{Σ}{}_{\mathrm{u}}{}^{\mathrm{?}}\text{-}{}^3\text{Σ}{}_{\mathrm{u}}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$ interaction are added to the previously calculated widths due to the ⁵Π_u, ³Π_u, and ¹Π_u states, reasonable agreement is obtained with experimental measurements on O¹⁶O¹⁶ and O¹⁸O¹⁸. The possibility of non-Lorentzian line profiles and the dependence of the width on rotational quantum number is investigated. The approximation of the spin-orbit matrix element by its value at the crossing point is shown to be a good approximation for calculating the second difference perturbations.