Split-pulse laser method for measuring attenuation coefficients of transparent liquids: application to deionized...

Attenuation coefficients alpha(lambda) for collimated quasi-monochromatic radiation passing through deionized filtered water were measured throughout the 418.6-640.3-nm wavelength region by use of a split-pulse laser method, which employs reference and sample cells arranged in a geometry similar to that of a Michelson interferometer. The radiant source was a pulsed wavelength-tunable dye laser possessing a relatively short coherence time. This paper includes descriptions of theoretical and experimental techniques applicable to the split-pulse laser method and includes a tabulation of alpha(lambda) measured for deionized filtered water at 26.4 +/- 1.7 degrees C.