Abstract
A vertical cavity diode laser hygrometer using two absorption lines near 1854 nm has been developed for the National Science Foundation Gulfstream-V aircraft. This instrument operates from the surface to the lower stratosphere, measuring 6 orders of magnitude in water vapor concentration. The optical system consists of an open-path multiple-pass cell mounted on an aerodynamic pylon. The self-operating hygrometer reports concentration in real time at 25 Hz and uses a novel approach for fitting the data with minimal correction terms for changes in ambient pressure and temperature. The instrument intercompares with existing research grade hygrometers in the 2%-10% range. A minimum detection limit of 3.6 × 1011 molecules/cm2 or 0.08 ppmv at 15 km altitude conditions is achieved. The design rationale, operation, and flight performance of the hygrometer are described in this work.
Original language | English (US) |
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Article number | D20309 |
Journal | Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres |
Volume | 115 |
Issue number | 20 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 1 2010 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Geophysics
- Forestry
- Oceanography
- Aquatic Science
- Ecology
- Water Science and Technology
- Soil Science
- Geochemistry and Petrology
- Earth-Surface Processes
- Atmospheric Science
- Earth and Planetary Sciences (miscellaneous)
- Space and Planetary Science
- Palaeontology