Infrared absorption cross sections for trifluoromethane

•Trifluoromethane infrared absorption cross sections have been determined from 950 to 1500 cm−1.•They cover temperatures from 188 to 294 K and appropriate atmospheric pressures.•They will allow retrievals of trifluoromethane abundances from IR remote-sensing instruments.

High-resolution infrared absorption cross sections for trifluoromethane have been determined over the range 950-1500 cm−1 from spectra recorded using a high-resolution FTIR spectrometer (Bruker IFS 125HR) and a 26-cm-pathlength cell. Spectra of trifluoromethane/dry synthetic air mixtures were recorded at 0.015 cm−1 resolution (calculated as 0.9/MOPD) at a number of temperatures and pressures (23-762 Torr and 188-294 K) appropriate for atmospheric conditions. Intensities were calibrated using composite trifluoromethane spectra taken from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) IR database.