Optical Absorption Cross-Section of DNA Bases—Thymine and Guanine—in the Energy Region from 3.1 to 250 eV (5–400 nm)

(1) Background: Optical absorption cross-section—the absolute absorption intensity specific to each molecule—of nucleic acid bases enables us to estimate the reaction yields of DNA lesions induced by the exposure to not only photons but also ionizing radiations. However, it was unknown in the energy region exceeding ~10 eV (wavelength < ~120 nm). (2) Methods: Thin films of DNA bases—thymine and guanine—were prepared using a vacuum sublimation technique. Absorption spectra of these films were measured in the energy region from 3.1 to 250 eV (5–400 nm) at the synchrotron radiation facility UVSOR. (3) Results: The absorption spectra of both bases exhibited prominent absorption peaks around 20 eV and smaller peaks in the energy region below 10 eV. The determined optical oscillator strength distribution was verified to be reasonable based on the Thomas–Reiche–Kuhn oscillator strength sum rule. (4) Conclusion: Most of the oscillator strength distribution was positioned in the measured energy region, and therefore the absorption spectra significantly contributed to the quantitative study for the photo and radiation-chemical reactions of DNA.