Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026

Characterizing Far-infrared Laser Emissions and the Measurement of Their Frequencies
Published on: December 18, 2015
The Continuum of Water Vapor Mixed with Methane: Absolute Absorption at 239 GHz and Linewidth Calculations
1Laboratoire de Physique des Lasers, Atomes et Molécules, UMR CNRS, Université des Sciences et Technologies de Lille, CERLA, Villeneuve d'Ascq Cedex, 59655, France
Abstract:
In the aim of achieving a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the absorption continuum of the water-vapor rotational spectrum, various H(2)O-X mixtures are investigated in an atmospheric window in the mmw range. In the present study, the X mixing gas is methane. Absolute absorption rates have been measured at 239 GHz. The dependence on pressure as well as temperature has been obtained. The experimental data are compared with models using conventional line profiles. As these models require the knowledge of the collisional half-widths of H(2)O broadened by CH(4), theoretical calculations using the complex Robert-Bonamy formalism have been carried out. A "continuum effect" is observed when comparing the experimental absorption with the models, as well as for the magnitude of the absorption discrepancy and for the strong temperature dependence of this absorption. The effect is compared for various X mixing gases to the collisional broadening efficiency in the impact approximation. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.
Related Concept Videos
IR Spectrum Peak Broadening: Hydrogen Bonding
However, the extent of hydrogen bonding influences the observed stretching frequency and band broadening. Intermolecular or intramolecular hydrogen bonding...
Mass Spectrum
Spin–Spin Coupling Constant: Overview
Qualitatively, any spin plus-half nucleus polarizes the spins of its electrons to the minus-half state. Consequently, the paired electron in the hydrogen–carbon bond must have a...
IR Spectroscopy: Molecular Vibration Overview
Stretching vibrations are vibrational motions that occur along the bond line, changing the bond length or distance between two bonded atoms. They are further distinguished as symmetric or asymmetric. In symmetric stretching, the...
IR Spectroscopy: Hooke's Law Approximation of Molecular Vibration
According to Hooke's law, the vibrational frequency is directly proportional to the...
IR Frequency Region: X–H Stretching

