Development, Analysis and Evaluation of the LIFE Prototype Instrument
Date
2024-07-23
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ORCID
0000-0001-9335-776X
Type
Thesis
Degree Level
Doctoral
Abstract
There exists in the upper troposphere/lower stratosphere (UTLS) region of the atmosphere an identified observational gap in measurements, leading to large uncertainties in climate models.
This region is crucial to understanding the climate of our planet due to the strong effect of dynamic, chemical and radiative processes within.
In recent decades, infrared Fourier Transform Spectrometry has been identified as, and demonstrated to be, a prime candidate for remote sensing techniques with the necessary spectral, spatial and temporal resolution to combat the present scarcity of these critical observations through instruments such as MIPAS and GLORIA.
The Limb Imaging Fourier Transform Spectrometer Experiment (LIFE) aims to build upon the legacy of these instruments with a design comprised of commercially available components and with greatly reduced complexity and cooling requirements, with minimal impact to measurement quality.
This prototype instrument primarily targets the important greenhouse gases H$_2$O, O$_3$, CH$_4$ and N$_2$O and seeks to obtain vertical trace gas profiles for each by taking infrared measurements in the 700 to 1400 cm$^{-1}$ wavenumber range from a balloon-based platform.
The design, characterization and calibration of the original instrument is the subject of a publication included in this work that details the instrument concept and operation, design principles and initial results from a 2019 demonstration flight from Timmins, Ontario.
Additional aspects of the instrument design such as practical considerations, optical alignment challenges, and supporting technologies and hardware are discussed as well.
Analysis of the measurements taken during the demonstration flight indicate a completion of primary scientific goals through the determination of vertical trace gas profiles for each of the target species and HNO$_3$ additionally, which was the subject of a second publication.
Though comparison of the LIFE vertical trace gas profiles with credible trace gas profiles from the ACE and MLS instruments confirmed the results, a number of weaknesses and areas of improvement for successor instruments are detailed, which will allow further closing of the observational gap and ultimately contribute to a better understanding of the UTLS and the climate of the Earth.
Description
Keywords
Remote Sensing, Instrumentation, Greenhouse Gases
Citation
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Department
Physics and Engineering Physics
Program
Physics