High resolution Fourier transform spectroscopy of jet-cooled molecules

The spectroscopic literature reporting on the coupling between Fourier transform spectrometers and supersonic jet expansions is reviewed. Particular attention is devoted to high resolution infrared absorption experiments. Short and much longer introductions are provided on Fourier transform spectrometers and jets, respectively, with emphasis on the problems raised by coupling the two techniques. Details of the optical designs reported in the literature are considered. The literature on all the molecules studied is tabulated. Some of the spectroscopic results are highlighted, in particular those obtained at Universite Libre de Bruxelles.