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Updated: Jun 17, 2026
07:55
High-speed Continuous-wave Stimulated Brillouin Scattering Spectrometer for Material Analysis
Published on: September 22, 2017
A balloon-borne grating spectrometer.
D G Murcray1, F H Murcray, W J Williams
1Departme]Rt of Physics, University ofDenver, Denver, Colorado 80210, USA.
Applied Optics
|January 9, 2010
Summary
A new balloon-borne spectrometer measured atmospheric transmittance from 2 to 14 micrometers. Data collected over thirty months and eleven flights provide insights into atmospheric spectral regions.
Area of Science:
- Atmospheric Science
- Spectroscopy
- Remote Sensing
Background:
- Atmospheric transmittance is crucial for understanding Earth's radiative balance and climate.
- Accurate spectral measurements are needed to validate atmospheric models.
- Previous measurements may have limitations in spectral coverage or geographic scope.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design, construct, and deploy a novel balloon-borne spectrometer.
- To measure atmospheric transmittance in the 2 to 14 micrometer spectral range.
- To gather long-term atmospheric data across diverse geographic locations.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a 0.5-m Czerny-Turner grating spectrometer.
- Conducted eleven balloon flights over thirty months.
- Employed a solar pointing system for accurate measurements.
Main Results:
- Successfully measured atmospheric transmittance in multiple spectral regions.
- Collected extensive data across three geographic locations.
- Demonstrated the spectrometer's capability for preflight and flight performance.
Conclusions:
- The developed spectrometer is effective for atmospheric transmittance measurements.
- The collected data contribute valuable insights into atmospheric spectral characteristics.
- The study validates the performance and utility of the balloon-borne instrument.
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