Laser photoacoustic measurement of infrared spectral line profiles

Spectral line profiles of thirteen infrared transitions of normal methanol and ethylene have been measured with the CO/sub 2/ laser photoacoustic detection technique. Pressure broadening, pressure shifts and offsets from the CO/sub 2/ line centers are reported. The theoretical description of the photoacoustic line profile and the method of obtaining undistorted line profiles are presented along with the possible application of the constructed system to trace gas detection.