An accurate comparison of lineshape models on H2O lines in the spectral region around 3 μm

In this paper we present the main results concerning lineshape analysis on v(1) and v(3) water vapor lines in the region around 3 mum. Narrow-bandwidth radiation used in this experiment was produced by difference-frequency generation in a periodically poled crystal between two near-infrared solid state lasers. We have investigated pressure broadening and shift for five H2O absorption lines induced by collisions with Xe atoms and water vapor itself. From an accurate lineshape analysis we have obtained information on the influence of Dicke narrowing as well as correlations between velocity-changing and dephasing collisions and of speed-dependent effects. Finally, the self-broadening and pressure broadening and shift coefficients in presence of the buffer gas are furnished. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.