Measurement of the Water Vapor Continuum Absorption Coefficient between 800-1200 cm-1

Abstract

Extensive experimental studies have been made to determine the water vapor continuum absorption coefficient in the atmospheric window region.1-7 However, the values of the continuum absorption coefficient are still largly uncertain. Experimental results by Burch’s group are basic data for LOWTRAN series and FASCODE2, though the different continuum absorption coefficients are reported from their earlier and recent experiments. Our purpose is to determine the water vapor continuum absorption coefficients from sky emission spectra.