Trend of lower stratospheric methane (CH4) from atmospheric chemistry experiment (ACE) and atmospheric trace molecule spectroscopy (ATMOS) measurements

The long-term trend of methane (CH₄) in the lower stratosphere has been estimated for the 1985-2008 time period by combining spaceborne solar occultation measurements recorded with high spectral resolution Fourier transform spectrometers (FTSs). Volume mixing ratio (VMR) FTS measurements from the ATMOS (atmospheric trace molecule spectroscopy) FTS covering 120-10 hPa (∼16-30 km altitude) at 25°N-35°N latitude from 1985 and 1994 have been combined with Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment (ACE) SCISAT-1 FTS measurements covering the same latitude and pressure range from 2004 to 2008. The CH₄ trend was estimated by referencing the VMRs to those measured for the long-lived constituent N₂O to account for the dynamic history of the sampled airmasses. The combined measurement set shows that the VMR increase measured by ATMOS has been replaced by a leveling off during the ACE measurement time period. Our conclusion is consistent with both remote sensing and in situ measurements of the CH₄ trend obtained over the same time span.     

Detection of elevated tropospheric hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) mixing ratios in atmospheric chemistry experiment (ACE) subtropical infrared solar occultation spectra

We report measurements of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) profiles from infrared solar occultation spectra recorded at 0.02 cm⁻¹ resolution by the atmospheric chemistry experiment (ACE) during 2004 and 2005. Mixing ratios as high as 1.7 ppbv (1 ppbv=1×10⁻⁹ per unit volume) were measured in the subtropical troposphere. Back trajectories, fire count statistics, and simultaneous measurements of other species from the same occultation provide evidence that the elevated H₂O₂ mixing ratios originated from a young biomass-burning plume. The ACE time series show only a few cases with elevated H₂O₂ mixing ratios likely because of the short lifetime of H₂O₂ and the limited sampling during biomass-burning time periods.     

High accurate peak positions for calibration purposes with the lowest fundamental bands ν2 of N2O and CO2

The lowest fundamental vibration rotation bands ν₂ of nitrous oxide (N₂O) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) have been measured with a Fourier transform spectrometer at the resolution of 0.001 cm⁻¹. The spectra have been calibrated with the high accurate peak positions of the carbonyl sulfide (OCS) ν₂ band, which has been recently produced as a candidate for a secondary standard by calibrating first the 2ν₂ band with the CO₂ laser bands around 10 μm and then transferring the calibration to ν₂ with the internal energy levels of OCS. In the present work the OCS ν₂ and ν₁ bands were measured together with the spectra of N₂O and CO₂. Then the OCS ν₁ band was measured by calibrating it with the 2ν₂ band of OCS. The linearity of the wavenumber scale was checked by comparing the corresponding line positions in the OCS ν₁ band in these two separate measurements. The absolute accuracy of the ν₂ band centers of N₂O and CO₂ were evaluated to be 6.8 × 10⁻⁶ and 8.4 × 10⁻⁶ cm⁻¹, respectively.     

The ν12 band of ethylene-1-C (CCH4) by high-resolution FTIR spectroscopy

The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum of the ν₁₂ fundamental band of ethylene-1-¹³C (or ¹³C¹²CH₄) was recorded with an unapodized resolution of 0.0063 cm⁻¹ in the wavenumber region of 1360-1520 cm⁻¹. Rovibrational constants for the upper state (ν₁₂ = 1) up to five quartic and two sextic centrifugal distortion terms were derived for the first time by assigning and fitting a total of 879 infrared transitions using a Watson’s A-reduced Hamiltonian in the I^r representation. The root-mean-square deviation of the fit was 0.00066 cm⁻¹. The ground state rovibrational constants were also determined by a fit of 523 combination-differences from the present infrared measurements, with a rms deviation of 0.00090 cm⁻¹. The A-type ν₁₂ band which is centred at 1439.34607 ± 0.00004 cm⁻¹ was found to be relatively free from local frequency perturbations. From the ν₁₂ = 1 rovibrational constants obtained, the inertial defect Δ₁₂ was found to be 0.242826 ± 0.000002 μŲ.     

High-resolution FTIR measurement and analysis of the ν3 band of C2H3D

The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum of the ν₃ band of C₂H₃D was measured at an unapodized resolution of 0.0063 cm⁻¹ in the 1240-1340 cm⁻¹ region. Rovibrational constants for the upper state (ν₃ = 1) up to five quartic and two sextic centrifugal distortion terms had been obtained by assigning and fitting a total of 1037 infrared transitions using a Watson’s A-reduced Hamiltonian in the I^r representation. The root-mean-square deviation of the fit was 0.00051 cm⁻¹. The ground state rovibrational constants were also determined by a fit of 674 combination differences together with 21 microwave frequencies from the present infrared measurements with a root-mean-square deviation of 0.00040 cm⁻¹. The upper state (ν₃ = 1) and ground state rovibrational constants of C₂H₃D represent the most accurate values obtained so far. The A-type ν₃ band, centred at 1288.788826 ± 0.000044 cm⁻¹ was found to be relatively free from local frequency perturbations. From the ν₃ = 1 rovibrational constants obtained, the inertial defect Δ₃ was 0.1619724 ± 0.0000001 μŲ.     

The high-resolution FTIR spectrum of the ν6 band of C2H3D

The absorption spectrum of the ν₆ band of C₂H₃D centered near 1125.27674 cm⁻¹ in the 1100-1250 cm⁻¹ region was recorded with an unapodized resolution of 0.0063 cm⁻¹ using a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer. A total of 947 infrared transitions of the A-B hybrid-type band were assigned and fitted to upper-state (ν₆ = 1) rovibrational constants using a Watson’s A-reduced Hamiltonian in the I^r representation up to eighth-order centrifugal distortion terms. The b-type infrared transitions of the band were analyzed for the first time. The root-mean-square deviation of the fit was 0.00062 cm⁻¹. The ground-state rovibrational constants up to eighth-order terms were also obtained by a fit of 617 combination differences from the present infrared measurements, simultaneously with 21 microwave frequencies with a root-mean-square deviation of 0.00055 cm⁻¹. From this work, the upper-state (ν₆ = 1) and ground-state constants of C₂H₃D were derived with the highest accuracy, so far. The a- and b-type transitions of the hybrid ν₆ band were found to be relatively free from local frequency perturbations. The ratio of the a- to b-type vibrational dipole transition moments (μ_a/μ_b) was found to be 1.05 ± 0.10. From the ν₆ = 1 rovibrational constants obtained, the inertial defect Δ₆ was calculated to be 0.3570 ± 0.0008 μŲ.     

Rotational spectrum and structure of asymmetric dinitrogen trioxide, N2O3

The rotational spectra of the ground vibrational state and the ν₉ = 1 torsional state have been reinvestigated and accurate spectroscopic constants have been determined. The torsional frequency, ν₉ = 70(15) cm⁻¹, has been determined by relative intensity measurements. The assignment of the infrared spectrum has been slightly revised and an accurate harmonic force field has been calculated. The equilibrium structure has been determined using different, complementary methods: experimental, semi-experimental and ab initio, leading to r(NN) = 1.870(2) Å, in particular.     

High-resolution infrared spectroscopy of the interacting ν9, ν5 + ν6 and 3ν6 levels of CH2BrF

The high-resolution (0.0030 cm⁻¹) Fourier transform infrared spectrum of CH₂⁷⁹BrF has been studied in part of the atmospheric window between 910 and 980 cm⁻¹, the region of the ν₉ (935.847 cm⁻¹) and ν₅ + ν₆ (961.239 cm⁻¹) bands. The ν₉ fundamental consists of a pseudo a-type band induced by Coriolis coupling with ν₅ + ν₆, in turn exhibiting a predominant a-type structure. Several interactions connecting these levels and the dark state 3ν₆ have been assessed. The whole data set is treated using Watson’s A-reduced Hamiltonian in the I^r representation implemented with first order a- and b- and c-type Coriolis terms. A detailed analysis of the rotational structure yields a set of accurate upper-state parameters up to quartic distortion terms for ν₉ and ν₅ + ν₆. In addition, spectroscopic information about the dark ternary overtone of ν₆ has been obtained.     

High-resolution infrared analysis of the ν7 band of cis-ethylene-d2 (cis-C2H2D2)

The spectrum of the ν₇ band of cis-ethylene-d₂ (cis-C₂H₂D₂) has been recorded with an unapodized resolution of 0.0063 cm⁻¹ in the 740-950 cm⁻¹ region using a Bruker IFS 125 HR Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. By fitting 2186 infrared transitions of ν₇ with a standard deviation of 0.00060 cm⁻¹ using a Watson’s A-reduced Hamiltonian in the I^r representation, accurate rovibrational constants for ν₇ = 1 state have been derived. The band center of ν₇ has been found to be 842.20957 ± 0.00004 cm⁻¹. In a simultaneous fit of 1331 infrared ground state combination differences from the present ν₇ transitions, together with 22 microwave frequencies, ground state constants have been improved. The rms deviation of the ground state fit was 0.00027 cm⁻¹.     

Improved rovibrational constants for the ν12 band of C2H3D

The Fourier transform infrared absorption spectrum of the ν₁₂ fundamental band of ethylene-d (C₂H₃D) was recorded at an unapodized resolution of 0.0063 cm⁻¹ in the 1330-1475 cm⁻¹ region. Upper state (ν₁₂ = 1) rovibrational constants inclusive of three rotational, five quartic, and four sextic centrifugal distortion constants were improved by assigning and fitting 1444 infrared transitions using Watson’s A-reduced Hamiltonian in the I^r representation. The present analysis yielded more higher-order upper state constants than previously reported. The rms deviation of the fit is 0.00055 cm⁻¹. Improved ground state rovibrational constants were also determined from the combined fit of 2026 ground state combination differences (GSCD) from the assigned infrared transitions of the ν₁₂, ν₃ and ν₆ bands and 21 microwave frequencies of C₂H₃D. The rms deviation of the GSCD fit is 0.00047 cm⁻¹. The A-type ν₁₂ band is centered at 1400.76262 ± 0.00004 cm⁻¹. Local frequency perturbations were not detected in the analysis. The calculated inertial defect Δ₁₂ is 0.20809 ± 0.00003 μŲ.     

The ν12 band of C2D4

The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) absorption spectrum of the ν₁₂ fundamental band of ethylene-d₄ (C₂D₄) was recorded in the 1017-1137 cm⁻¹ region with an unapodized resolution of 0.0063 cm⁻¹. Upper state (v₁₂ = 1) rovibrational constants consisting of three rotational and five quartic constants were improved by assigning and fitting 2103 infrared transitions using Watson’s A-reduced Hamiltonian in the I^r representation. The band centre of the A-type ν₁₂ band is found to be 1076.98480 ± 0.00002 cm⁻¹. The present analysis covering a wider wavenumber range and higher J and K_c values yielded upper state constants including the band centre which are more accurate than previously reported. The rms deviation of the upper state fit is 0.00045 cm⁻¹. Improved ground state rovibrational constants were also determined from the fit of 1247 ground state combination differences (GSCD) from the presently-assigned infrared transitions of the ν₁₂ band of C₂D₄. The rms deviation of the GSCD fit is 0.00049 cm⁻¹. In the rovibrational analysis, local frequency perturbations were not detected even at high J and K_a values. The calculated inertial defect Δ₁₂ is 0.32551 ± 0.00001 μŲ. The line intensities of the individual transitions in the ν₁₂ band were measured and the band strength of 39.8 ± 2.0 cm⁻² atm⁻¹ was derived for the ν₁₂ band of C₂D₄.     

The high-resolution infrared spectrum of BF3 from 400 to 1650 cm

High-resolution infrared spectra of boron trifluoride, enriched to 99.5 at. % ¹¹B, have been measured from 400 to 1650 cm⁻¹. In that region we have identified and analyzed 16 absorption bands attributed to the three fundamental bands, two combination bands, 10 hot bands, and one difference band. All possible states were accessed in this region through direct transitions either from the ground state or as hot bands from thermally populated levels. The spectral resolution of the measurements varied from 0.0015 to 0.0020 cm⁻¹. An improved set of ground state rotational constants and rovibrational constants for the infrared-active fundamental vibrations have been determined from over 32 000 assigned transitions. This study resulted in the first direct characterization of the infrared-inactive ν₁ state of ¹¹BF₃ leading to values for ν₁, , and of 885.843205(24), 0.000678548(53), and 0.000337564(66) cm⁻¹, respectively. The Fermi resonance perturbation between the E′ states ν₃ and 3ν₄ (l = ±1) was further elucidated by observation of hot band transitions to both the 3ν₄ (l = ±1) and 3ν₄ (l = ±3) states. Several other resonances were also found including the weak rotational interaction, between the state 2ν₂ and the E′ state of ν₁ + ν₄.     

High-resolution infrared spectra of OOO ozone isotopomer in the range 900-5000 cm: line positions

Continuing the systematic study of ozone high-resolution infrared spectra, we present in this paper the measurements and analyses of line positions for the ¹⁸O¹⁶O¹⁸O isotopomer. In the range 900-5000 cm⁻¹, corresponding to the observed spectra, 15 bands are analysed: ν₁, ν₃, ν₂+ν₃, ν₁+ν₂, 2ν₃, ν₁+ν₃, 2ν₁, ν₂+2ν₃, ν₁+ν₂+ν₃, 3ν₃, 2ν₁+ν₃, ν₂+3ν₃, ν₁+3ν₃, ν₁+ν₂+3ν₃, and 5ν₃. As in the case of ¹⁶O₃, ¹⁸O₃, and ¹⁶O¹⁸O¹⁶O, the analysis of these bands is performed using effective rovibrational Hamiltonians for nine polyads of interacting upper vibrational states. To correctly reproduce all observed transitions, we have to account for resonance perturbations due to 13 “Dark” states: (0 3 0), (0 4 0), (2 1 0), (0 3 1), (1 0 2), (0 4 1), (1 1 2), (3 1 0), (0 3 2), (0 0 4), (3 2 0), (0 1 4), and (0 4 2). We present the range of observed transitions, the results for spectroscopic parameters (vibrational energy levels, rotational and centrifugal distortion constants, and resonance coupling parameters), as well as the statistics for rovibrational energy levels, calculations and measurements. A comparison of observed band centres with those predicted from an isotopically invariant potential function is discussed. The RMS deviation between predicted and directly observed band centres is ≈0.03 cm⁻¹ up to 3000 and ≈0.25 cm⁻¹ for all 16 bands up to 5000 cm⁻¹.     

Analysis of the high-resolution infrared spectrum of cyclopropane

The high-resolution infrared spectrum of cyclopropane (C₃H₆) has been measured from 100 cm⁻¹ to 2200 cm⁻¹. In that region we have identified 24 absorption bands attributed to six fundamental bands, five combination bands, three hot bands and 10 difference bands. Long pathlength spectra, up to 32 m, facilitated the identification and analysis of many previously unstudied infrared inactive, and Raman and infrared inactive vibrational states, including direct access to two forbidden fundamental states, ν₄ and ν₁₄. An improved set of constants for the ground vibrational state as well as for the fundamental vibrations ν₇, ν₉, ν₁₀, ν₁₁ are also reported. The spectral resolution of the measurements varied from 0.002 cm⁻¹ to 0.004 cm⁻¹.     

The ν1, ν4 and 3ν6 bands of methyl chloride in the 3.4-μm region: Line positions and intensities

Methyl chloride (CH₃Cl) is one of the most abundant chlorine-containing molecules in the atmosphere. For this reason a recent update was performed in HITRAN in the 640-2600 cm⁻¹ region based on the line parameters generated in Nikitin et al. [Nikitin A, Champion JP, Bürger H. J Mol Spectrosc 2005;230:174-84] with the intensities scaled to existing experimental data. CH₃Cl has a rather strong signature around 3000 cm⁻¹ which was used recently by the Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment (ACE) satellite mission to produce the first study of the global distribution of methyl chloride in the upper troposphere and stratosphere. However, it was mentioned that the CH₃Cl line positions and intensities spectroscopic parameters are of very low quality in this spectral region in the public access HITRAN or GEISA databases. We present a complete update of the line positions and line intensities for the ν₁, ν₄, 3ν₆ bands of CH₃ ³⁵Cl and CH₃ ³⁷Cl in the 3.4 μm region. For this task, Fourier transform spectra have been recorded at high resolution at the Laboratoire de Dynamique, Interactions et Réactivité in France. Measurements of line positions and line intensities have been retrieved for both isotopologues ¹²CH₃ ³⁵Cl and ¹²CH₃ ³⁷Cl in the ν₁, ν₄, 3ν₆ bands. The theoretical model accounts for the interactions coupling the (ν₁=1; ?=0), (ν₄=1; ?=±1) and (ν₆=3; ?=±1) energy levels, together with additional resonances involving several dark states.     

Multispectrum analysis of CH4 from 4100 to 4635 cm: 1. Self-broadening coefficients (widths and shifts)

The Lorentz self-broadening (halfwidths) and self-induced pressure-shift coefficients were measured for the first time in the octad region of methane. All spectra were recorded at 0.011 cm⁻¹ resolution using the McMath-Pierce Fourier transform spectrometer located at the National Solar Observatory on Kitt Peak, Arizona. ¹²C-enriched CH₄ gas samples at room temperature were used, and high signal-to-noise ratios of 2000:1 were achieved. The multispectrum nonlinear least squares fitting technique enabled us to fit simultaneously a total of 10 high-resolution laboratory absorption spectra consisting of six self-broadened and four air-broadened spectra. In this paper, we report the self-broadened widths and self-induced pressure shift coefficients for 1423 transitions belonging to five bands with a maximum J of 16. The numbers of measurements by bands are: 71 for ν₂ + 2ν₄, 202 for ν₁ + ν₄, 824 for ν₃ + ν₄, 58 for 2ν₂ + ν₄, and 268 for ν₂ + ν₃. The observed widths varied from 0.045 to about 0.090 cm⁻¹ atm⁻¹ at 296 K. The measured pressure-shift coefficients had values extending from about −0.020 to −0.005 cm⁻¹ atm⁻¹ at 298.3 ± 1.2 K. The results obtained for the broadening coefficients in the various bands were compared with each other and with measurements reported in the literature for other methane bands.     

Variable-temperature FT-IR studies on the thermodynamics of carbon dioxide adsorption on a faujasite-type H-Y zeolite

Adsorption of carbon dioxide on a faujasite-type H-Y zeolite (Si:Al = 2.6:1) was studied by variable-temperature (200-290 K range) infrared spectroscopy. Adsorbed CO₂ molecules interact with the Brønsted acid Si(OH)Al groups located inside the zeolite supercage, bringing about a characteristic bathochromic shift of the O-H stretching mode from 3645 cm⁻¹ (free OH group) to 3540 cm⁻¹ (hydrogen-bonded CO₂ adsorption complex). Simultaneously, the asymmetric (ν₃) mode of adsorbed CO₂ is observed at 2353 cm⁻¹. From the observed variation of the integrated intensity of the 3645 and 2353 cm⁻¹ IR absorption bands upon changing temperature, corresponding values of standard adsorption enthalpy and entropy were found to be ΔH° = −28.5(±1) kJ mol⁻¹ and ΔS° = −129(±10) J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹. Comparison with the reported values of ΔH° for CO₂ adsorption on other zeolites is briefly discussed.     

High resolution fourier transform spectrum of PD3 in the region of the stretching overtone bands 2ν1 and ν1+ν3

The infrared spectrum of the PD₃ molecule has been measured in the region of the first stretching overtone bands on a Fourier transform spectrometer with a resolution of 0.0068 cm⁻¹ and analyzed for the first time. More than 800 transitions with J^max=15 have been assigned to the bands 2ν₁ and ν₁+ν₃. An effective Hamiltonian was used which takes into account both the presence of resonance interactions between the states (2 0 0 0) and (1 0 1 0), and interactions of these with the third stretching vibrational state of the v=2 polyad, (0 0 2 0). A set of 44 spectroscopic parameters is obtained from the fit. This reproduces the 305 initial “experimental” upper rovibrational energies with an rms=0.0015 cm⁻¹.     

Model, software and database for line-mixing effects in the ν3 and ν4 bands of CH4 and tests using laboratory and planetary measurements—I: N2 (and air) broadenings and the earth atmosphere

Absorption spectra of the infrared ν₃ and ν₄ bands of CH₄ perturbed by N₂ over large ranges of pressure and temperature have been measured in the laboratory. A theoretical approach accounting for line mixing is proposed to (successfully) model these experiments. It is similar to that of Pieroni et al. [J Chem Phys 1999;110:7717-32] and is based on state-to-state rotational cross-sections calculated with a semi-classical approach and a few empirical parameters. The latter, which enable switching from the state space to the line space, are deduced from a fit of a single room temperature spectrum of the ν₃ band at 50 atm. The comparisons between numerous measured and calculated spectra under a vast variety of conditions (ν₃ and ν₄, 0-500 atm, 170-300 K) then demonstrate the quality and consistency of the proposed model. This success is a first validation of a database and associated software built in order to model the shape of CH₄ absorption in air, that are available and suitable for the updating of atmospheric radiative transfer codes. The accuracy of these tools is then further demonstrated using transmission measurements of the Earth atmosphere in the ν₃ region (3 μm) recorded in solar absorption with ground and balloon based Fourier transform instruments. Similar tests in the ν₄ region using satellite based emission spectra and ground-based transmission measurements confirm the model quality although they show very small line-mixing effects and their masking by strong contributions of other species.     

High-resolution FTIR spectrum of the ν12 band of ethylene-d (C2H3D)

The infrared absorption spectrum of the ν₁₂ fundamental band of ethylene-d (C₂H₃D) has been recorded with an unapodized resolution of 0.004 cm⁻¹ in the wavenumber range of 1340-1460 cm⁻¹ using the Fourier transform technique. By assigning and fitting a total of 870 infrared transitions using a Watson’s A-reduced Hamiltonian in the I^r representation, three rotational and five quartic centrifugal distortion constants for the upper state (v₁₂ = 1) were determined for the first time. The rms deviation of the fit was 0.00044 cm⁻¹ which is close to the experimental precision of the absorption lines. The A-type ν₁₂ band centred at 1400.762811 ± 0.000041 cm⁻¹was found to be relatively free from local frequency perturbations. The inertial defect Δ₁₂ was found to be 0.20928 ±  0.00002 μŲ.