MIPAS database: new HNO₃ line parameters at 7.6  µm validated with MIPAS satellite measurements

Abstract. Improved line positions and intensities have been generated for the 7.6 µm spectral region of nitric acid. They were obtained relying on a recent reinvestigation of the nitric acid band system at 7.6 µm and comparisons of HNO₃ volume mixing ratio profiles retrieved from the Michelson Interferometer for Passive Atmospheric Sounding (MIPAS) limb emission radiances in the 11 and 7.6 µm domains. This has led to an improved database called MIPAS-2015. Comparisons with available laboratory information (individual line intensities, integrated absorption cross sections, and absorption cross sections) show that MIPAS-2015 provides an improved description of the 7.6 µm region of nitric acid. This study should help to improve HNO₃ satellite retrievals by allowing measurements to be performed simultaneously in the 11 and 7.6 µm micro-windows. In particular, it should be useful to analyze existing MIPAS and IASI spectra as well as spectra to be recorded by the forthcoming Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer – New Generation (IASI-NG) instrument.