Oxygen Spectroscopy Laser Sounding Instrument for Remote Sensing of Atmospheric Pressure

We report on the progress of an oxygen spectroscopy laser sounding instrument designed as a calibration channel for a carbon dioxide (CO₂) laser sounding instrument. We have developed a pulsed, frequency-doubled, fiber laser transmitter for use in an oxygen instrument. The instrument concept uses the pressure broadening of spectroscopic lines of the diatomic oxygen A-band to deduce atmospheric pressure. There are many uses for this measurement but we are developing it primarily to make a measurement of the dry mixing ratio of CO₂. The CO₂ measurement can be affected by changes in atmospheric properties such as humidity, temperature and pressure. To remove these variances requires measuring a stable, well-mixed gas like oxygen. We will report on the basic theory behind the instrument, measurements made at a test site at Goddard, review the current state of the instrument technologies and the necessary steps to bring them to space readiness, and review the current state of the instrument development.