Absorption cross sections for the A 2A' (0,9(0),0) <-- X 2A' (0,0(1),0) band of the HCO radical

Absorption cross sections for the A 2A' (0,9(0),0) <-- X 2A' (0,0(1),0) band of HCO were determined at 295 K using pulsed laser photolysis combined with cavity ring-down spectroscopy. Formyl radicals (HCO) were produced from the reaction of atomic chlorine, generated by photolysis of Cl2 at 335 nm, with formaldehyde. The concentration of HCO was calibrated using two independent photochemical methods. The peak cross section of the P8 line was determined to be (1.98 +/- 0.36) x 10(-18) cm2, and the intensity of the entire band was normalized to this line. The quoted 2 sigma uncertainty includes estimated systematic errors. Comparisons to previously reported values of HCO cross sections in this band are discussed.