Tunable diode laser measurements of formaldehyde foreign-gas broadening parameters and line strengths in the 9–11 μm region

A tunable diode laser spectrometer has been used to determine pressure broadening coefficients due to collision with the foreign gases air, H(2), O(2), and N(2) in the nu(4) and nu(6) bands of H(2)CO between 9 and 11 microm. Absolute line strengths for twenty-eight transitions have also been determined. The broadening coefficients are very similar to theoretical literature values in the cases of air, N(2), and O(2). The H(2)-H(2)CO values are in good agreement with earlier experimental millimeter wave results.