Saturation parameters of methanol absorption lines at low pressures at CO2 laser emission frequencies

Measurements were made of the saturation parameters of CH₃OH and CD₃OD absorption lines at the emission frequencies of a CO₂ laser. In the case of CH₃OH molecules an investigation was made of the pressure dependence of the saturation parameter in the 26–200 Pa range. It was observed that at low pressures the saturation parameter decreased with increasing pressure. This anomalous dependence was explained by allowing for thermal effects taking place in the gas.