Detection of carbonyl fluoride in the stratosphere

Abstract

Infrared solar absorption spectra of the stratosphere recorded at a resolution of 0.01 cm −1 by the ATMOS (Atmospheric Trace Molecule Spectroscopy) instrument from onboard Spacelab 3 (04/30 to 05/6/85) have revealed the existence of many previously unobserved absorption features in the 1925 to 1960 cm −1 and 1249 to 1255 cm −1 regions and one at 774 cm −1 . On the basis of comparisons with laboratory spectra, these features have been identified as belonging to the ν 1 , ν 4 ; and ν 6 bands of carbonyl fluoride, respectively. Volume mixing ratios of COF 2 between 17 and 40 km have been deduced from analysis of the ν 1 and ν 6 bands.