Recent results from the Leiden Observatory Laboratory: (a) band strengths in mixed ices; (b) UV photolysis of solid methanol

We review, the recent work done in the Leiden Observatory Laboratory on measuring the IR band strengths of CO and CO2 diluted in various binary ice mixtures. These measurements were performed with a novel technique in Which the component gases are deposited simultaneously through separate tubes; avoiding a number of pitfalls intrinsic in previous methods where the components were pre-mixed in a gas container before deposition. The error in the new method is in general only a few percent. We also review the results on the UV photolysis of solid methanol at t0 K. By starting the IR spectroscopic monitoring after very small UV doses (i.e. 6 s). we clearly distinguish the first order photolysis products. i.e. H2CO, CH4, HCO and H2. from the higher order products. i.e. CO and CO2.