Water vapor line width and shift calculations with accurate vibration–rotation wave functions

Abstract

Calculations of H 2 16O rotation–vibration line broadening and shifting due to N 2 pressure effects are performed using a semi-empirical approach. The calculations are based on impact theory modified by introducing additional parameters to extend the use of empirical data. These model parameters are determined by fitting the broadening and shifting coefficients to experimental data. The method is further developed by using anharmonic wavefunctions in the estimates of the line profiles. The main feature of the present calculation is the use of a complete set of high-accuracy vibration–rotation dipole transition moments calculated for all possible transitions using wavefunctions determined from variational nuclear motion calculations and an ab initio dipole moment surface. This approach explicitly takes into account all scattering channels induced by collisions. Results of these calculations clearly demonstrate improved agreement between observed and calculated parameters for both the line widths and the line shifts.