Far-infrared absorption of CO/sub 2/ clathrate hydrate

CO/sub 2/ clathrate hydrate is believed to form in the polar regions of Mars in winter. In order to verify its presence in a remote sensing experiment, its dielectric properties must be known and must be sufficiently different from those of water ice, CO/sub 2/ ice, and CO/sub 2/ gas to give a distinct signature. The authors present their measurement of the far-infrared spectra of CO/sub 2/ clathrate hydrate. The spectrum exhibits a broad absorption that is probably due to a rattling mode of the CO/sub 2/ molecules in their water ice cages. They discuss the feasibility of using this absorption in a remote sensing experiment.<>