Observations on the band spectra of mercury

Abstract

This paper records some observed facts on the elusive subject of mercury band spectra. I must confess at the outset that I have little that is definite to offer in the way of interpretation. 1. Excitation of Mercury Band Spectrum by the Continuous Spectrum of Hydrogen . It was noticed in absorption experiments on mercury vapour at atmospheric and higher pressures that the well-known green mercury fluorescence was quite marked where the light of the continuous hydrogen source entered the vapour. The fluorescence has hitherto been chiefly studied by using the mercury arc or the aluminium spark as a source. It appeared worth while to investigate the fluorescence spectrum with this new means of excitation.