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Completed TRL 2 (started at 2, targeting 2)
Formaldehyde is a critical component of the current (OMI, TROPOMI) and planned (GEMS, TEMPO) missions. Complications due to scattering in the ultraviolet (300-350 nm) make formaldehyde measurements with existing instruments challenging to make and difficult to validate. We propose to develop the spectroscopy and measurement techniques needed to develop a laser-based remote sensing instrument for the detection of formaldehyde.
Our goal in this effort is to develop the experimental capability to detect formaldehyde with IPDA at 339 nm. In order to accomplish our goal, we need to do the following:
1) Quantify the spectroscopic parameters of the actual spectral features for the detection of HCHO. The theoretical spectrum is known approximately, but not well enough to base an instrument design. We need to know the exact line positions, lineshape, absorption cross-section, the pressure broadening coefficients, and temperature dependences of these features.
2) Develop the measurement technique. We need to determine the best feature(s) to use, how to scan the laser, and the best signal processing to use.
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