High Resolution Low Noise Atmospheric Spectroscopy

Abstract

High resolution absorption infrared spectroscopy is a largely used way to gather information on the chemical composition of the Earth atmosphere. The early pioneers (A. Adel, M. Migeotte,…), using large grating instruments, were able to recognize the vibration-rotation signatures of molecules like CH4, CO, NO, N2O … They showed how the Sun can be used as the necessary bright and stable light source.