Rocketborne field-widened

Studies of atmospheric properties using IR spectroscopy techniques have been reported in the literature for nearly 100 years. This paper presents a brief historical review of the development of this area of science and discusses the common features of spectrographic instruments. Two state of the art instruments on opposite ends of the measurement spectrum are described. The first is a fast response iri situ sensor for the measurement of the exchange of CO2 between the atmosphere and the earth s surface. The second is a rocketborne field-widened spectrometer for upper atmosphere composition studies. The thesis is presented that most improvements in current measurement systems are due to painstakingly small performance enhancements of well understood system components. The source, optical and thermal control components that allow these sensors to expand the state of the art are detailed. Examples of their application to remote canopy photosynthesis measurement and upper atmosphere emission studies are presented. 

Rocketborne Field-Widened Interferometer-Spectrometer. The rocket-borne field-widened interferometer-spectrometer (RBFWI) is an example of an instrument that uses emission techniques to make broad-band spectral measurements in the 2 - 7.5 pm spectral region in the upper atmosphere. Figure 10 illustrates the concept of this cryogenically-cooled instrument developed at Utah State University under an Air Force Geophysics Laboratory contract. 

Table I. Rocketborne Field-Widened Interferometer-Spectrometer...

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