A multiwavelength daytime photometer - a new tool for the investigation of atmospheric processes

Abstract

Technological innovations in optics in the form of a spiral mask system and in electronics in the form of on-line gate scanning of Fabry-Pérot fringes and critical balancing of gate widths for complete background rejection have allowed unambiguous detection of faint dayglow emission features of multiple wavelengths buried in the bright daytime background continuum. The technical details of this unique multiwavelength daytime photometer (MWDPM) and its performance characteristics together with its potential application for the investigation of several geophysical phenomena are presented and discussed.