Laser-extinction and high-resolution atmospheric transmission measurements conducted at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico
Abstract
Measurements of atmospheric transmission over a 6.4 km path were conducted in March 1979 at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), New Mexico. A deuterium fluoride (DF) laser and a high-resolution Fourier transform spectrometer (FTS) system were used to generate high-quality transmission spectra of the 6.4 km path accurate to + or - 3% in absolute transmission. Details of the procedures used and results obtained in the absolute transmission calibration of the spectra are presented. Path integral values for HDO, H2O, CH4, and N2O concentrations have been derived from the spectra and results of this analysis are described. Comparisons of measured DF laser extinction coefficients with calculated molecular absorption values are presented which show very small aerosol attenuations, generally 1/0.02 km at DF laser wavelengths. Visibilities measured at 0.55 micrometer during the course of the experiment generally averaged over 100 km.
- Publication:
-
Naval Research Lab. Report
- Pub Date:
- November 1980
- Bibcode:
- 1980nrl..reptS....D
- Keywords:
-
- Atmospheric Physics;
- High Resolution;
- Light Transmission;
- Absorption Spectra;
- Deuterium Compounds;
- Fourier Transformation;
- Micrometeorology;
- Lasers and Masers