The transition dipole moment of the nu(3) band of the methyl radical h
as been measured for the first time. A new discharge laser amplitude d
ouble modulation method with a difference frequency laser spectrometer
and a hollow cathode discharge cell has been used. The CH3 concentrat
ion has been estimated from the absorption decay when the discharge is
turned off. The transition dipole moment is found to be mu(mu 3) = 0.
029 +/- 0.005 D.