A new instrumentation for simultaneous terahertz and mid-infrared spectroscopy in corrosive gaseous mixtures

The correct interpretation of infrared (IR) observations of planetary atmospheres requires an accurate knowledge of temperature and partial and global pressures. Precise laboratory measurements of absorption intensities and line profiles, in the 200-350 K temperature range, are, therefore, critical. However, for gases only existing in complex chemical equilibria, such as nitrous or hypobromous acids, it is not possible to rely on absolute pressure measurements to measure absolute integrated optical absorption cross sections or IR line intensities. To overcome this difficulty, a novel dual-beam terahertz (THz)/mid-IR experimental setup has been developed, relying on the simultaneous use of two instruments. The setup involves a newly constructed temperature-controlled (200-350 K) cross-shaped absorption cell made of inert materials. The cell is traversed by the mid-IR beam from a high-resolution Fourier transform spectrometer using along a White-cell optical configuration providing absorption path lengths from 2.8 to 42 m and by a THz radiation beam (82.5 GHz to 1.1 THz), probing simultaneously the same gaseous sample. The THz channel records pure rotational lines of molecules for which the dipole moment was previously measured with high precision using Stark spectroscopy. This allows for a determination of the partial pressure in the gaseous mixture and enables absolute line intensities to be retrieved for the mid-IR range. This new instrument opens a new possibility for the retrieval of spectroscopic parameters for unstable molecules of atmospheric interest. The design and performance of the equipment are presented and illustrated by an example of simultaneous THz and mid-IR measurement on nitrous acid (HONO) equilibrium.