Infrared laboratory studies of synthetic planetary atmospheres

The broadening of individual lines in the CO fundamental by various gases has been investigated. The results indicate that the ratio of the self-broadening ability of CO to the line-broadening ability of foreign gases is greater for lines in the band wings than for lines near the band center when the molecular mass of the broadener is less than that of CO. The results have been interpreted in terms of a phenomenological theory. Studies of the relative line broadening abilities of foreign gases have provided information that can be used to provide optical collision cross sections for individual lines in the CO fundamental.