Airborne far-infrared heterodyne remote sensing of stratospheric oh: a feasibility study

Journal Article · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1992 · International Journal of Infrared and Millimeter Waves; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01009987· OSTI ID:6970536

Miller, S; Birk, M; Schreier, F; Hausamann, D ^[1]

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1. Institut fur Optoelektronik (Germany)

The hydroxyl radical OH is one of the most important, but least investigated, atmospheric species. For an improved understanding of its strong involvement in stratospheric chemistry, more data is needed which provides concentrations of OH and related species at any latitude, longitude, season and day of time. This requirement can not be fulfilled by existing stratospheric sensors. Balloon-borne sensors provide data up to 40 km, yet they are subject to the typical restrictions for balloon operation, while airborne in-situ measurements are limited by the maximum altitude of the aircraft. In this study it is shown, that an airborne Far Infrared heterodyne receiver is able to meet the need for a versatile stratospheric OH sensor. Based on both the high spectral resolution and sensitivity of heterodyne receivers and the availability of airborne heterodyne technology it will be shown that this instrument is capable of retrieving data with the greatly expanded spatial and temporal coverage required. When operated on a standard aircraft at an altitude of 12 km, the heterodyne receiver can retrieve concentration profiles from above the flight altitude with a typical altitude resolution of 5 to 7 km.

• OSTI ID: 6970536
• Journal Information: International Journal of Infrared and Millimeter Waves; (United States), Journal Name: International Journal of Infrared and Millimeter Waves; (United States) Vol. 13:9; ISSN 0195-9271; ISSN IJIWDO
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540120* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
AIRCRAFT
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY
CHEMISTRY
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
FAR INFRARED RADIATION
HYDROXYL RADICALS
INFRARED RADIATION
LAYERS
OZONE LAYER
RADIATIONS
RADICALS
REMOTE SENSING
STRATOSPHERE