Dispersive correlation spectroscopy: a study of mask optimization procedures.

A procedure has been established to obtain the design parameters of the masks used in dispersive correlation spectrometers. The SNR equations are used to derive the mask equations. These are later solved for some simplified band models, and the obtained parameters are used as the initial values in an iterative program which determines the final design parameters. The calculations can be performed for various backgrounds and instrumental line profiles in order to achieve the best compromise for the detection of pollutants, and other trace gases, in the atmosphere.