Diode laser spectroscopy of H2O in the 7165-7185 cm-1 range for atmospheric applications

A near-infrared diode laser spectrometer was used in the laboratory to measure H2O line intensities near 1.39 mum. The spectral region ranging from 7165 to 7186 cm(-1) which is of interest for the in situ monitoring of H2O in the middle atmosphere from balloon or airborne platforms was studied. A temperature-stabilized White cell was used to perform measurements between room temperature and -60degreesC. A great care was taken in preventing corruption of the H2O measurements by ambient water vapor by using optical fibers to conduct light and by installing the complete spectrometer in a closed box filled with dry nitrogen at atmospheric pressure. Twenty-three transitions of nu(1)+nu(3) and 2nu(1) bands have been studied. The results are carefully compared to previous determinations and available databases. The main discrepancies are discussed. Finally, in situ stratospheric H2O spectra obtained recently from the SDLA, a balloonborne diode laser spectrometer, that were processed by means of the achieved H2O parameters are reported. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.