Abstract
This second edition of the infrared microwindow atlas contains a collection of spectral mi-
crowindows commonly used or recently suggested for ground-based, high resolution, infrared
solar absoption spectroscopy. These solar observations are aimed at quantifying the abun-
dance of trace species in the terrestrial atmosphere. A microwindow is a narrow spectral
interval that allows to observe a specific atmospheric absorber unambiguously. The width of
a microwindow may vary but is typically between 0.1 and 5cm−1 wide, though wider windows
may in some cases be used or multiple narrow windows may be combined in any particular
retrieval.
The spectra and corresponding simulations shown in the figures are representing solar
absorption spectra recorded in Arctic Scandinavia on 15/Mar/1997 (500 to 4370cm −1 ) and
01/Apr/1998 (3950 to 9000cm−1 ). The printed atlas discusses close to 250 microwindows.
Lively discussions at the annual meetings of the infrared working group of the Network for
Detection of Stratospheric Change (NDSC) have demonstrated a continued high interest in
an up-to-date reference work on commonly used microwindows in the field of infrared ground-
based remote sensing. The present work attempts to summarise the collective knowledge that
the NDSC community has on this topic. The work of many past and present experts in the
field have contributed to this compilation and the authors wish to express their thanks to all
of them.
At present, no recommendations on the optimum selection of microwindows for individual
species are provided. That task is beyond the scope of the present work and also depends
on the observation site and instrumental parameters. However, where inconsistencies be-
tween observation and simulations are striking, or in cases where common pitfalls have been
reported, we provide comments to highlight potential problems.
Several microwindows have been noted previously in the literature, and we have included
a list of references citing their use. We are aware that the current edition is still incomplete,
and we encourage our readers to help us fill in the gaps, extend, and improve the atlas.
crowindows commonly used or recently suggested for ground-based, high resolution, infrared
solar absoption spectroscopy. These solar observations are aimed at quantifying the abun-
dance of trace species in the terrestrial atmosphere. A microwindow is a narrow spectral
interval that allows to observe a specific atmospheric absorber unambiguously. The width of
a microwindow may vary but is typically between 0.1 and 5cm−1 wide, though wider windows
may in some cases be used or multiple narrow windows may be combined in any particular
retrieval.
The spectra and corresponding simulations shown in the figures are representing solar
absorption spectra recorded in Arctic Scandinavia on 15/Mar/1997 (500 to 4370cm −1 ) and
01/Apr/1998 (3950 to 9000cm−1 ). The printed atlas discusses close to 250 microwindows.
Lively discussions at the annual meetings of the infrared working group of the Network for
Detection of Stratospheric Change (NDSC) have demonstrated a continued high interest in
an up-to-date reference work on commonly used microwindows in the field of infrared ground-
based remote sensing. The present work attempts to summarise the collective knowledge that
the NDSC community has on this topic. The work of many past and present experts in the
field have contributed to this compilation and the authors wish to express their thanks to all
of them.
At present, no recommendations on the optimum selection of microwindows for individual
species are provided. That task is beyond the scope of the present work and also depends
on the observation site and instrumental parameters. However, where inconsistencies be-
tween observation and simulations are striking, or in cases where common pitfalls have been
reported, we provide comments to highlight potential problems.
Several microwindows have been noted previously in the literature, and we have included
a list of references citing their use. We are aware that the current edition is still incomplete,
and we encourage our readers to help us fill in the gaps, extend, and improve the atlas.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Swedish Institute of Space Physics |
| Number of pages | 608 |
| Volume | 048 |
| Publication status | Published - 2004 |
Publication series
| Name | IRF technical report |
|---|---|
| Volume | 048 |
| ISSN (Print) | 0284-1738 |
Bibliographical note
Copies are available from the principal author, Arndt Meier, email: [email protected]Subject classification (UKÄ)
- Earth and Related Environmental Sciences
Free keywords
- atmospheric remote sensing
- infra-red spectroscopy
- earth observation
- solar-terrestrial absorption spectroscopy