Photoabsorption and photodissociation of molecules important in the interstellar medium

The photo absorption, photo dissociation, and fluorescence cross sections of interstellar molecules and radicals were measured in the vacuum ultraviolet region. These quantitative optical data are useful for understanding of the formation and destruction processes of molecules under the intense interstellar W radiation field. Infrared (IR) emissions from W excitation of aromatic molecules were also observed in this research program. The research results are useful for studying the sources of the 'unidentified' interstellar infrared (UIR) emission bands.