From light-scattering measurements to polarizability derivatives in vibrational Raman spectroscopy: the 2ν5 overtone of SF6.

The room-temperature isotropic spectrum of SF6 was recorded at the frequency of the 2ν5 overtone by running high-sensitivity incoherent Raman experiments for two independent polarizations of the incident beam and for gas densities varying from 2 to 27 amagat. Weak yet observable pressure effects were found. A transparent analysis of the Raman cross-section problem along with the first-ever prediction of the value of the mean polarizability second derivative ∂(2)α/∂q5(2) are made and the hitherto underestimated role of the hot bands of SF6 is brought to the wider public. The emergence of an analytic hotband factor is shown whose magnitude is dramatically increased with the order of the overtone and the gas temperature and all the more so upon considering low-frequency molecular vibrations. Our formulas, which in the harmonic approximation are exact, are still applicable to real situations provided certain conditions are fulfilled. For nondegenerated modes, generalization to higher order overtones is made, an issue addressing the much challenging problem of the IR-allowed second overtone bands. The content of this paper is also an invitation towards ab initio derivative-calculations for sulfur hexafluoride, especially given the today's needs in interpreting spectra of significance for greenhouse atmospheric issues.