Main Sources оf Uncertainties in Measuring Weak Near-Infrared Water Vapor Continuum Absorption with a Fourier Spectrometer with a Long Optical Path

Yu. N. Ponomarev*, I. V. Ptashnik**, A. A. Solodov, and A. M. Solodov
Translated by S. Ponomareva

V.E. Zuev Institute of Atmospheric Optics, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, 634055 Russia

Correspondence to: *e-mail: yupon@iao.ru
Correspondence to: **e-mail: piv@iao.ru

Received 01 March, 2017

Abstract—We examine the main sources of uncertainties when measuring the near-infrared water vapor continuum absorption with the Fourier spectrometer complex of the Institute of Atmospheric Optics, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences. The instrumental and methodical errors are considered, including errors in determination of the baseline, as well as possible impact of nanoscale complexes of water molecules.

Keywords: continuum absorption, water vapor, measurement error

DOI: 10.1134/S1024856017050098