We present an experimental study of the self- and N₂-broadened H₂ O continuum in microwindows within the ν₂ fundamental centered at ~1600 cm⁻¹. The continuum is derived from transmission spectra recorded at room temperature with a BOMEM Fourier transform spectrometer at a resolution of ~0.040 cm⁻¹. Although we find general agreement with previous studies, our results suggest that there is significant near-wing super-Lorentzian behavior that produces a highly wave-number-dependent structure in the continuum as it is currently defined.

The continuum absorption by H₂O has several characteristics that are common throughout the windows in the infrared and millimeter-wave regions. Values of the continuum absorption coefficient calculated on the basis of simple, widely used line shapes may differ greatly from observed values in the windows between strong absorption lines. The temperature dependence of this absorption is also not predictable from present day understanding of line shapes or of dieters, which may also contribute. The shapes of self-broadened H₂O lines are quite different from those of N₂-broadened lines, and the difference increases with increasing distance from the centers of the lines. Data obtained from laboratory samples and from atmospheric paths are presented to compare the various windows in the infrared and millimeter regions.