MEASURED ATMOSPHERIC ABSORPTION AT RUBY OPTICAL MASER WAVELENGTHS

Abstract : Atmospheric absorption data is presented for three atmospheric water-vapor lines near 6943 Angstroms as a function of path elevation angle. The absorption data was obtained at Columbus, Ohio, using a solar telescope and high-resolution spectrometer. For completeness, the absorption curves also include the effects of molecular and aerosol scattering. These values are from Elterman's model for a clear standard atmosphere. Measurements of ruby optical maser wavelength versus temperature are given and correlated with atmospheric absorption spectra. An experiment to measure the absorption at 6943 Angstroms in a laboratory cell is described. (Author)