THE $v_{t}=3$ STATE OF METHANOL

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The rotational spectrum of methanol is characterized by an asymmetric top overall rotation coupled with an intermediate barrier three fold hindered rotation. The spectrum progresses from a torsionally modified asymmetric top in the $v_{t}=0$ state to a rotationally modified torsion by the $v_{t}=2$ state. The $v_{t}=3$ state lies well above the torsional barrier and in close proximity to the CO stretch vibration. The $v_{t}=3$ microwave spectrum has been assigned up to $J=34$ in over 1 THz of frequency measured spectra. In spite of the success in assigning the a-type R-branches the b-type spectra is surprisingly weak suggesting that the torsion significantly modifies the intensities of the few $K$ levels in close enough proximity to have transitions below 2.5 THz.

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Author Institution: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109; Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Mail Stop 150-21, Pasadena, CA 91125

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