FASCODE for the environment (FASE)

Abstract

The Optical Physics Division of the Phillips Laboratory with support from the DoE Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Program is developing a state-of-the-art line-by- line atmospheric radiative transfer model as the successor by FASCODE. The goal of this project is to create a computationally efficient model which contains the most up-to-date physics. The new model, known as FASCODE for the Environment, or `FASE', will combine the best features of FASCODE and LBLRTM, the DoE's standard radiative transfer model. FASE will also contain new features such as new cross-sections for heavy molecules, an improved solar irradiance model, and improvements to the Schumann-Runge bands and continuum. The code will be optimized for vectorized and/or parallel processing, put under configuration control for easy maintenance, and will be structured into separate modules for each function: atmospheric profiles, layer optical properties, radiative transfer, multiple- scattering, etc. This modular structure will allow for increased flexibility and easy customization of the code for specialized applications, such as a forward model for iterative inversion algorithms. Ease-of-use will be enhanced with improved input control structures and documentation to accommodate the needs of novice and advanced users. This paper addresses changes which have been made to FASCODE and LBLRTM to create FASE, and gives an overview of the modular structure and its capabilities.