Pressure-broadening of the 22.2 GHz line of Water: basic results for Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere

For atmospheric purposes, the self- and N2-broadening parameters of the J = 6_{1,6} - 5_{2,3} (22.2 GHz) rotational transition of water has been investigated in the temperature range 296-338 K. This investigation should be considered of particular interest in monitoring the Earth's atmosphere because water is a fundamental component and it is well established that the accuracy of collisional broadening parameters has a crucial influence on reduction of remote sensing data. Therefore, a particular effort has been made in order to reduce instrumental as well as systematic errors. Experimental determinations have also been supported by theoretical calculations