Studies of Non-LTE Processes Relating to Atmospheric IR Backgrounds and Clutter.

摘要

This contractual effort consisted of three elements: laboratory studies of key chemical and transfer reactions which are of special interest to atmospheric IR emissions, ground-based field measurements of carefully selected infrared (IR) airglow and auroral emissions, and detailed modeling of the dynamics of atmospheric processes that are not in local thermodynamic equilibrium. Laboratory efforts centered on the production and detection of highly rotationally excited OH. Data sets obtained at the Bear Lake Observatory during MSX satellite data collection over the site were examined in depth. Conducted the preliminary analysis and interpretation of image data collected at Yucca Ridge, CO., during the SPRITES '96 campaign. A photochemical model for the sodium airglow emission was developed during this period. Work unit updated 5 MAR 98. During the update period, effort concentrated on the investigation of newly documented field observations of extreme non-local-thermodynamic- equilibrium (NLTE) phenomena in the IR airglow and auroral emissions. These new IR observations have significant systems implications. During this period, work continued on the development of the turbulent layer detection algorithm. This effort searched for the connection between the generation and breakdown of gravity waves into turbulence, resulting in spatial and temporal structure. Work also continued on the laboratory studies of NLTE atmospheric infrared emissions relating to the infrared background problem.