QUANTITATIVE ABSORPTION PARAMETERS FOR LINES IN THE 790 NM BAND OF WATER OBTAINED USING INTRACAVITY LASER SPECTROSCOPY WITH A Ti:SAPPHIRE LASER

Abstract

The intracavity laser spectroscopy (ILS) technique has been shown to be a very sensitive method for observing absorption spectra. By considering quantitative results (line strengths and pressure-broadening coefficients) obtained using the ILS method with a dye laser, we have demonstrated that the technique provides quantitative information that is in excellent agreement with that afforded by more traditional methods for acquiring absorption $spectra.^{1}$. A similar investigation has been conducted for an ILS system based on a Ti:sapphire laser. Presented are quantitative results for water vapor transitions occurring around 790 nm. Line intensities are determined as a function of water vapor pressure and effective pathlength (i.e., generation time). The line strengths are compared with values determined using the Fourier transform spectrometer at the kitt peak National $Observatory.^{2}$ The good agreement between these results demonstrates that quantitatively accurate data can be obtained using the intracavity technique with Ti:sapphire lasers.