High-resolution far-infrared ft spectroscopy of the stratosphere [Spettroscopia di fourier ad alta risoluzione nel lontano infrarosso della stratosfera]

The stratosphere emits significantly in the far infrared and submillimeter spectral regions: spectroscopic analysis of this emission is a valuable tool for remote sensing of stratospheric constituents. Measurements are conveniently made from a high altitude platform such as a stratospheric balloon, using a limb-scan technique. We report here work in progress since 1978, using a balloon-borne Fourier-transform spectrometer, operating in wide bands from 7 to 200 cm -11 with a nominal resolution of 3.3 . 10 -1 cm -1. Vertical concentration profiles of trace constituents, measured simultaneously, were retrieved by comparing experimental spectra with synthetic spectra by means of a non-linear global-fit procedure. © 1995 Accademia nazionale dei Lincei.