A computational study of hydrogen dimers in giant-planet infrared spectra

Abstract

Abstract The absorption due to H2–H2 complexes is investigated theoretically. The potential and dipole surfaces for the complex are taken from the literature. Quantum dynamical calculations of the roto-translational absorption spectrum are performed. Special attention is paid to the fine features due to hydrogen dimers, (H2)2, at the centers of the collision-induced rotational S(0) and S(1) transitions. The computed absorption coefficients are used to analyze the spectra of the four giant planets of our solar system.