ExoMol line lists IV: The rotation-vibration spectrum of methane up to 1500 K

Abstract

A new hot line list is calculated for $^{12}$CH$_4$ in its ground electronic state. This line list, called 10to10, contains 9.8 billion transitions and should be complete for temperatures up to 1500 K. It covers the wavelengths longer than 1 $μ$m and includes all transitions to upper states with energies below $hc \cdot 18\,000$ cm$^{-1}$ and rotational excitation up to $J=39$. The line list is computed using the eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of CH$_4$ obtained by variational solution of the Schrödinger equation for the rotation-vibration motion of nuclei employing program TROVE. An ab initio dipole moment surface and a new 'spectroscopic' potential energy surface are used. Detailed comparisons with other available sources of methane transitions including HITRAN, experimental compilations and other theoretical line lists show that these sources lack transitions both higher temperatures and near infrared wavelengths. This line list is suitable for modelling atmospheres of cool stars and exoplanets. It is available from the CDS database as well as at www.exomol.com.