Modeling the infrared cascade spectra of small PAHs: the 11.2 μm band

The profile of the 11.2 μm feature of the infrared (IR) cascade emission spectra of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) molecules is investigated using a vibrational anharmonic method. Several factors are found to affect the profile including: the energy of the initially absorbed ultraviolet (UV) photon, the density of vibrational states, the anharmonic nature of the vibrational modes, the relative intensities of the vibrational modes, the rotational temperature of the molecule, and blending with nearby features. Each of these factors is explored independently and influence either the red or blue wing of the 11.2 μm feature. The majority impact solely the red wing, with the only factor altering the blue wing being the rotational temperature.