THE INFRARED ABSORPTION OF SOME MINOR ATMOSPHERIC $GASES^{*}$

Abstract

A laboratory study of the total absorption of the $2224 cm^{-1}$ $N_{2}O$ band, the 4260 and $2143 cm^{-1}$ CO bands, and the $3020 cm^{-1}$ $CH_{4}$ band has been made. From low resolution spectra of these bands the effects of absorber concentration, absorber partial pressure, and total pressure on the total absorption have been investigated. Total pressures were varied from approximately 1 mm to 3000 mm Hg by adding nitrogen to the samples. The results will be presented and compared to theoretical predictions based on the Elsasser band model.