Characteristic infrared radiation of the first-order phase transitions and its connection with atmospheric optics

Abstract

It is shown that the nature of some IR sources in the Earth’s atmosphere is based on the characteristic IR radiation (IRCR) of the first-order phase transitions (water condensation and crystallization). Experimental and theoretical evidence of the existence of IRCR are discussed. The theory of the phenomenon is based on the statement that a particle (atom, molecule, or cluster) emits one or a few photons while transiting from a higher metastable energetic level (vapor or liquid) to a lower one (liquid or crystal); the energy of these photons is connected in some way with the latent energy of the phase transition. The effect under study plays a very important role in atmospheric phenomena: it is one of the sources of the cooling of the Earth; the formation of clouds, especially storm ones, is accompanied by intensive IRCR, which could be detected for process characterization and storm warnings. The effect can be used for energy accumulation in the atmosphere. The IRCR might explain the red color and infrared emission of Jupiter.