Articles | Volume 16, issue 19
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-4391-2023
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-4391-2023
Research article
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06 Oct 2023
Research article | Highlight paper |  | 06 Oct 2023

SI-traceable validation of a laser spectrometer for balloon-borne measurements of water vapor in the upper atmosphere

Simone Brunamonti, Manuel Graf, Tobias Bühlmann, Céline Pascale, Ivan Ilak, Lukas Emmenegger, and Béla Tuzson

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Cited articles

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Executive editor
Measuring water vapour in the UTLS region has been challenging for decades. The method presented here provides a breakthrough for future high precision measurements at the low concentrations and under the conditions found in the UTLS region. Such measurements are essential given the critical role of water vapour in this region for the Earth's radiative balance.
Short summary
The abundance of water vapor (H2O) in the upper atmosphere has a significant impact on the rate of global warming. We developed a new lightweight spectrometer (ALBATROSS) for H2O measurements aboard meteorological balloons. Here, we assess the accuracy and precision of ALBATROSS using metrology-grade reference gases. The results demonstrate the exceptional potential of mid-infrared laser absorption spectroscopy as a new reference method for in situ measurements of H2O in the upper atmosphere.
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