Knowledge Bank

This preliminary work discusses the different microdensitometer/microphotometer (MDMP) measurement techniques for measuring the nitrogen dioxide spectrum. The spectral atlas of $NO2:5530-6480$ {\AA} measured on a manual MDMP is $available1$. A recent survey for the $NO2$ spectroscopic $requirements2$ indicated there is interest in the 5327 {\AA} region. The fluorescence cross section measurement of this region could lead to a good experimental lidar design for detecting the $NO2$ in the stratosphere. Using the automatic MDMP, the thorium standard and $NO2$ lines are stored on magnetic tape. Through a three-step computer process, a listing of the observed vacuum wavenumbers is generated and a CALCOMP plotter is used to provide the MDMP traces. The difference of the MDMPs and recent work on the visible spectrum of $NO2$ will be discussed.