Compact autonomous solar radiometer for atmospheric trace gas sounding

We propose developing mid-infrared, laser heterodyne radiometers for long term automated field measurements of multiple atmospheric trace gases including – but not limited to – formaldehyde (H2CO), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and methane (CH4). Profile precisions will be better than or equal to 5% and fiber optics will help reduce stray light to ≤10-4.

The proposed technology meets NASA's need for small, turn-key spectrometer-based Sun photometer sensors capable of detecting NO2, CH2O, and O3, at <5% uncertainty. These sensors must be capable of long-term measurements to support NASA ground networks. Improved

N2O and NH3 plume measurements and source iden tification within large agricultural areas such as the US Corn Belt.

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