Validation of line and continuum spectroscopic parameters with measurements of atmospheric emitted spectral radiance from far to mid infrared wave number range

The latest release of a high-resolution transmission molecular absorption database along with two improved models of water vapor continuum absorption are used to check their impact on the improvement of state-of-art radiative transfer. Radiative transfer performance has been assessed using high mountains atmospheric emitted spectral downwelling radiance observations in the 360-1200 cm−1 spectral regions. These high mountains observations are particularly suited to check the behavior and performance in the water vapor rotation band. In addition, they also have allowed us to gain insight into understanding the quality of recent new compilation of lines and related treatment for the ν2 CO2 band and the O3 band at 9.6μm. Comparisons are made between forward calculations of atmospheric transmission spectra and spectral radiances measured using two ground-based Fourier transform instruments. The results demonstrate that water vapor absorption largely benefits from the recent improvement in the related continuum (both self and foreign). In addition, ozone absorption is very accurately reproduced and, although to a less extent, this is also the case of CO2 absorption in the long wave ν2 band.

► Acquisition and presentation of new spectrally resolved radiances. ► Measurement recorded in high mountains sites. ► Observations covering the far to mid infrared, range 360-1200 cm−1. ► Validation of the newest water vapor continuum MT_CKD version 2.5.2. ► Validation of radiative transfer in the O3(9.6μm) and CO2(15μm) bands.