ExoMol line lists -- XLVII. Rovibronic molecular line list of the calcium monohydroxide radical (CaOH)

TL;DR

This paper presents a comprehensive and highly detailed molecular line list for CaOH, covering a wide spectral range and temperature, crucial for detecting CaOH in stellar and exoplanetary atmospheres.

Contribution

The first extensive CaOH line list with over 24 billion transitions, incorporating empirical data and advanced quantum calculations for accurate spectral modeling.

Findings

Contains over 24.2 billion transitions

Applicable up to 3000 K temperatures

Highlights a strong band at 0.63 μm for astronomical observations

Abstract

Any future detection of the calcium monohydroxide radical (CaOH) in stellar and exoplanetary atmospheres will rely on accurate molecular opacity data. Here, we present the first comprehensive molecular line list of CaOH covering the \A--\X\ rotation-vibration-electronic and \X--\X\ rotation-vibration bands. The newly computed OYT6 line list contains over 24.2 billion transitions between 3.2 million energy levels with rotational excitation up to $J=175.5$. It is applicable to temperatures up to $T=3000$~K and covers the 0\,--\,35\,000~cm$^{-1}$ range (wavelengths $\lambda > 0.29$~$\mu$m) for rotational, rotation-vibration and the \A--\X\ electronic transition. The strong band around 16\,000~cm$^{-1}$ ($\lambda = 0.63$~$\mu$m) is likely to be of interest in future astronomical observations, particularly in hot rocky exoplanets where temperatures can become extremely high. The OYT6 line list has been generated using empirically-refined \X\ and \A\ state potential energy surfaces, high-level \textit{ab initio} transition dipole moment surfaces and a rigorous treatment of both Renner-Teller and spin-orbit coupling effects, which are necessary for correctly modelling the CaOH spectrum. Post-processing of the CaOH line list has been performed so as to tailor it to high-resolution applications, i.e.\ by replacing calculated energy levels with more accurate empirically-derived values (where available), hence improving the accuracy of the predicted line positions in certain regions. The OYT6 line list is available from the ExoMol database at http://www.exomol.com and the CDS astronomical database.