Static Field Induced Spectrum of Hydrogen

The fundamental rotation–vibration band of H2 induced by an electric field has been measured at high resolution using an interferometer with a limit of resolution of 0.006 cm−1. The frequencies and the widths of the absorption features have been measured in the density range 1 to 25 amagat, and zero-density frequencies have been obtained by extrapolation. The lines exhibit collision narrowing, the minimum width, 0.01 cm−1, occurring at a density of about 2 amagat. A new value, 1.2 cm3, has been obtained for the matrix element of the polarizability.