SpeCT: A state-of-the-art tool to calculate correlated-k tables and continua of CO$_2$-H$_2$O-N$_2$ gas mixtures

TL;DR

SpeCT is an open-source tool that accurately computes correlated-k tables and continua for CO$_2$-H$_2$O-N$_2$ gas mixtures, improving planetary atmosphere modeling by including inter-species interactions and updated chi factors.

Contribution

The paper introduces SpeCT, a novel tool that calculates high-resolution spectra and correlated-k tables for gas mixtures, incorporating inter-species broadening and updated chi factors for better atmospheric modeling.

Findings

Produced 8 correlated-k tables for various gas mixtures.

Implemented updated chi factors for CO$_2$ absorption lines.

Enabled accurate opacity calculations for diverse planetary atmospheres.

Abstract

A key challenge in modeling (exo)planetary atmospheres lies in generating extensive opacity datasets that cover the wide variety of possible atmospheric composition, pressure, and temperature conditions. This critical step requires specific knowledge and can be considerably time-consuming. To circumvent this issue, most available codes approximate the total opacity by summing the contributions of individual molecular species during the radiative transfer calculation. This approach neglects inter-species interactions, which can be an issue for precisely estimating the climate of planets. To produce accurate opacity data, such as correlated-k tables, chi factor corrections of the far-wings of the line profile are required. We propose an update of the chi factors of CO$_2$ absorption lines that are relevant for terrestrial planets (pure CO$_2$, CO$_2$-N$_2$ and CO$_2$-H$_2$O). These new factors are already implemented in an original user-friendly open-source tool designed to calculate high resolution spectra, named SpeCT. The latter enables to produce correlated-k tables for mixtures made of H$_2$O, CO$_2$ and N$_2$, accounting for inter-species broadening. In order to facilitate future updates of these chi factors, we also provide a review of all the relevant laboratory measurements available in the literature for the considered mixtures. Finally, we provide in this work 8 different correlated-k tables and continua for pure CO$_2$, CO$_2$-N$_2$, CO$_2$-H$_2$O and CO$_2$-H$_2$O-N$_2$ mixtures based on the MT_CKD formalism (for H$_2$O), and calculated using SpeCT. These opacity data can be used to study various planets and atmospheric conditions, such as Earth's paleo-climates, Mars, Venus, Magma ocean exoplanets, telluric exoplanets.