INFRARED SPECTRUM OF THE (CO$_2)_2$-N$_2$O TRIMER MEASURED IN N$_2$O $\nu_1$ AND $\nu_3$ REGIONS.

Author Institution: Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr., N.W., Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada; National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0R6, CanadaInfrared spectra of the (CO$_2)_2$-N$_2$O trimer are observed by exciting the $\nu_1$ and $\nu_3$ fundamental stretching vibrations of the N$_2$O moiety (around 1285 cm$^{-1}$ and 2224 cm$^{-1}$ respectively). Spectra are recorded using a pulsed supersonic jet apparatus with a tunable diode laser probe. Ground state parameters were previously determined from a microwave study. \textbf{96}, 1355 (1999).} Analysis of the infrared spectra reveals information on the vibrational shifts upon complex formation as well as molecular parameters for the excited states. Our cluster calculation program yields a minimum energy structure very similar to that from the Orient program\textsuperscript{\textit{a}} but in slightly better agreement with the experimental structure. Our cluster calculations indicate a close resemblance of the two lowest energy isomers to those of (CO$_2$)$_2$-OCS