The possibility of the Ly{beta} fluorescence mechanism being operational in classical Be (CBe) stars and thereby contributing to the strength of the OI{lambda}8446 line has been recognized for long. However, this supposition needs to be quantified by comparing observed and predicted OI line ratios. In the present work, optical and near-infrared spectra of CBe stars are presented. We analyze the observed strengths of the OI{lambda}7774, {lambda}8446, {lambda}11287, and {lambda}13165 lines, which have been theoretically proposed as diagnostics for identifying the excitation mechanism. We have considered and examined the effects of Ly{beta} fluorescence, collisional excitation, recombination, and continuum fluorescence on these O I line strengths. From our analysis it appears that the Ly{beta} fluorescence process is indeed operative in Be stars.

Cone search capability for table J/ApJ/753/13/table1 (List of classical Be stars which show OI(7774) and OI(8446) in emission, with equivalent width and line flux ratio estimates)