A midinfrared laser spectrometer for the in-situ measurement of stratospheric nitrous oxide

In this paper, mid-infrared spectrometer based on a liquid nitrogen cooled lead-salt diode laser, emitting at 2190 cm/sup -1/ for the in-situ measurement of stratospheric nitrous oxide is developed. The system operates unattended for several hours under changing ambient conditions: during flight, the pressure is ranging from 1000 down to 30 mbar, temperature ranges from +70/spl deg/C to -90/spl deg/C. Typical flight measurements are performed between 10000 and 22000 m of altitude and at an aircraft speed of 160-190 m/s.