High-resolution spectroscopy of difference and combination bands of SF6 to elucidate the ν3 + ν1 − ν1 and ν3 + ν2 − ν2 hot band structures in the ν3 region

The strong infrared absorption in the ν3 S–F stretching region of sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) near 948 cm−1 makes it a powerful greenhouse gas. Although its present concentration in the atmosphere is very low, it is increasing rapidly, due to industrial pollution. The ground state population of this heavy species is only 32% at room temperature and thus many hot bands are present. Consequently, a reliable remote-sensing spectroscopic detection and monitoring of this species require an accurate modelling of these hot bands. We used two experimental set-ups at the SOLEIL French synchrotron facility to record some difference and combination bands of SF6: (1) a new cryogenic multiple pass cell w…