GRANADA: A Generic RAdiative traNsfer AnD non-LTE population algorithm

We present in this paper the Generic RAdiative traNsfer AnD non-LTE population Algorithm (GRANADA). This model is able to compute non-LIE populations for vibrational, rotational, spin (i.e., NO and OH), and electronic (i.e., O-2) states in a given planetary atmosphere. The model is very flexible and can be used for computing very accurate non-LIE populations or for calculating reasonably accurate but at high speed non-LIE populations in order to implement it into non-LIE remote sensing retrievals. We describe the model in detail and present an update of the non-LIE collisional processes and their rate coefficients for the most important molecules in Earth's atmosphere. In addition, we have applied the model to the most important atmospheric infrared emitters including 13 species (H2O, CO2, O-3, N2O, CO, CH4, O-2, NO, NO2, HNO3, OH, N-2, and HCN) and 460 excited vibrational or electronic energy levels. Non-LIE populations for all these energy levels have been calculated for 48 reference atmospheres expanding from the surface up to 200 km, including seasonal (January, April, July and October), latitudinal (75 degrees S, 45 degrees S, 10 degrees S, 10 degrees N, 45 degrees N, 75 degrees N) and diurnal (day and night) coverages. The effects of the most recent updates of the non-LIE collisional parameters on the non-LIE populations are briefly described. This climatology is available online to the community and it can be used for estimating non-LTE effects at specific conditions and for testing and validation studies. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.