On the nature of the infrared spectrum of water vapor between 8 and 14 μm.

Some new results on the continuum absorption of water vapor in the thermal i.r. between 8 and 14 μm are presented along with a brief review of currently adapted empirical and semi-empirical models explaining its nature. The original suggestion by Penner that the observed absorption might be by dimers of water molecules in the vapor phase is reexamined in light of the new results.