High sensitivity ICLAS of H218O in the 12,580-13,550 cm−1 transparency window

High-sensitivity Intracavity Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (ICLAS) is used to measure the high resolution absorption spectrum of H218O between 12,580 and 13,550 cm−1. This spectral region covers the 3v+δ polyad of very weak absorption. Four isotopologues of water (H218O, H216O, H217O, HD18O) are found to contribute to the observed spectrum. Spectrum analysis is performed with the aid of variational calculations and allowed for assigning 1126 lines belonging to H218O, while only 160 H218O lines are included in the HITRAN-2008 database. Altogether, 823 accurate energy levels of H218O are determined from transitions attributed to 26 upper vibrational states, 438 of them being reported for the first time. New information includes energy levels of four newly observed vibrational states of H218O: (2 4 0), (1 4 1), (0 4 2) and (2 3 1) at 13,167.718, 13,212.678, 13,403.71 and 15,073.975 cm−1, respectively. H218O transitions involving highly excited bending states like (1 6 0), (0 6 1), (0 7 1), (1 7 0), (0 9 0) and even (0 10 0) have been identified as a result of an intensity borrowing from stronger bands via high-order resonance interactions. Thirty-six new energy levels of H217O, present with a 2% relative concentration in our sample, could be determined. The rotational structure of the (0 2 3) state of HD18O at 13,245.497 cm−1 is also reported for the first time.

Research Highlights► The ICLAS spectrum of H218O was recorded in the 12,580-13,550 cm−1 region. ► 823 accurate energy levels of H218O were determined. ► 438 of them are newly determined. ► The (0 2 3)-(0 0 0) band of HD18O at 13,245.497 cm−1 is reported for the first time. ► 36 new energy levels of H217O were also determined.