Description of TablesThe tables accompanying the spectra contain all the lines that went into the calculation of the spectrum and should contain all lines that might interfere with the calibration lines. The tables all have a similar format with the exception of the quantum numbers necessary to specify the transition. WavenumbersThe first column gives the wavenumber for the line in units of cm-1. To convert to frequency units (MHz), multiply by 29 979.2458. The wavenumbers are calculated values because they are more reliable than individual line measurements and the uncertainties in the calculated wavenumbers can be accurately estimated. AsterisksFollowing the wavenumber is a space for an asterisk (*). If the asterisk is present, it indicates that the wavenumber has been determined from heterodyne frequency measurements and is certified to be as accurate as the uncertainty indicates. All lines without asterisks are of uncertain accuracy regardless of how small the uncertainty may be and should never be used for calibration. In assigning the asterisks no consideration was given to problems related to overlapping with other transitions. The tables list nearby lines that may cause problems with overlapping and the user must exercise judgment in determining if such overlapping will impair the accuracy of the measurement. The asterisk only certifies the accuracy of the line position in the hypothetical absence of any other nearby lines. Obviously, the resolution of the instrumentation being used will determine if a nearby line might invalidate the accuracy of the calibration line. UncertaintiesThe uncertainties in the wavenumbers are given after the wavenumbers in those cases where there is reason to believe that a good estimate of the uncertainty can be made. Even so, the uncertainty in the lines not designated with an asterisk should be taken with some degree of skepticism. The uncertainties given in the tables are twice the estimated standard error as calculated from the variance-covariance matrix given by the least-squares fit that determined the constants used to calculate the wavenumbers. The uncertainties refer to the accuracy of each individual transition. In general, the wavenumber separation of two nearby lines for the same vibrational transition of the same molecular species will be given more accurately than the uncertainty might lead one to believe. That is because the relative differences between the rotational energy levels are usually known more accurately than the differences in the vibrational energy levels. On the other hand, the separation of two lines that are due to absorption from two different isotopic species is probably known no more accurately than the uncertainty would lead us to believe. Lower State EnergyAs an aid in calculating intensities at different temperatures, the tables contain a column giving the separation (in cm-1) of the lower state energy level from the ground state. IntensityThe fourth column of numbers contains an estimate of the intensity for each transition at a temperature of 296 K. The format for the intensity values is the standard computer format consisting of a decimal value followed by the exponent (the power of ten multiplying the decimal value). The intensities given in the wave number tables are integrated line intensities (given in units of cm/molecule) rather than peak intensities. The units given in the tables can be converted to the more common units of cm-2 atm-1 at 296 K by multiplying by 2.479 × 1019. The intensity values are only given as an aid in estimating the appearance of the spectrum, they should not be treated as well determined values. The intensities given for weak lines and especially for the rarer isotopomers may be in error by 50 percent or more. Quantum NumbersIn every case the upper and lower state J-values are given last, next to the date. For CO, CS2, OCS, and N2O, the upper state vibrational quantum numbers are given first followed by the lower state vibrational quantum numbers. For NO the upper state quantum numbers F (when hyperfine structure is shown in the tables), Ω, and v are given followed by the lower state values. For the bending vibrations and for NO, the symmetry of the state is indicated by the e/f notation. Date of EntryThe month, day, and year are given to indicate when the last change was made in the entry. Molecular SpeciesA two or three digit number is used to indicate the isotopic species responsible for the absorption line. The code consists of combining the last digit of the atomic mass (rounded to the nearest whole number) for each atom in the molecule. For example, 12C16O would be 26, while16O12C32S would be 622.
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