Atomic Absorption Cross Section of Lithium Vapor Between 2300 and 1150 Å

The continuous atomic absorption cross section of lithium vapor has been measured using photoelectric techniques from the $2s^{2}S\to n{p}^2{P}^0$ series limit at 2300 to 1150 Å. The bandwidth of the monochromator was 0.75 Å and values of the cross section were obtained at 2-Å intervals. The best value for the atomic absorption cross section at the series limit was 1.54±0.23 Mb. The shape of the curve near the series limit is in close agreement with some recent theoretical predictions. There is an apparent disagreement with recent experimental results.