Title of Presentation: Tropospheric Infrared Mapping Spectrometers (TIMS) for CO Measurements With Much Improved Vertical, Temporal and Spatial Resolution

Primary (Corresponding) Author: Aidan Roche

Organization of Primary Author: Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Center

Co-Authors: J.B. Kumer, A.E. Roche, R.L. Rairden, J.L. Mergenthaler, R.B. Chatfield, R. D. Blatherwick and T. Hawat

Abstract: The report of the National Research Council (NRC) " Earth Science and Applications from Space: National Imperatives for the Next Decade and Beyond" describes requirements for improved atmospheric measurements to gain crucial understanding for air quality, climate change, and weather. Improved vertical and horizontal resolution, temporal resolution and coverage are required. Our project is focused on demonstrating a technology; Tropospheric Infrared Mapping Spectrometers (TIMS) that would provide considerably improve measurements of CO, commensurate with the NRC report requirements. Nadir radiance acquired at high spectral resolution, the order a few tenths cm-1, in the regions of the CO bands near 2.3 microns (solar reflective, SR) and 4.7 microns (thermal emissive, TIR), together with the low noise design (signal photon statistics dominated) would provide for CO retrieval with improved vertical information, including the lowest several km (boundary) layer. The primary measurement goal is CO, but the spectra contain information that facilitates retrieval of column CH4, and H2O partial columns including considerable improvement in the boundary layer.

The technology uses low noise 2D arrays fed by a grating spectrometer. There are no moving parts. The design is compact and facilitates, if desired, added spectral regions for measurements of additional species , e.g., in the 3.6 and 9.6 micron bands for altitude resolved measurements of tropospheric ozone partial columns and for much improved formaldehyde (HCHO) total column.

We will present the TIMS instrument and measurement concept, its heritage, our demonstration approach, and test results. We will extrapolate the latter to an instrument concept that addresses the measurement requirements of the NRC Geostationary Coastal and Air Pollution Events (GEO-CAPE) Mission. The technology could also be used to address the measurement requirements of the NRC leo GACM mission.