MEASUREMENTS OF ATMOSPHERIC TRACE GASES BY LONG PATH DIFFERENTIAL UV/VISIBLE ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY.

Abstract

A relatively simple instrument is described, which is capable of detecting and measuring a number of important trace gases at tropospheric concentration levels by observing their structured UV/visible absorption features. The absorption is monitored over a long, open air path stretching several kilometers between an artificial light source and the receiving system containing the spectrometer. This setup ensures the coverage of a large air volume by the instrument.