19th Annual Student Research Conference
Science
Construction of a Microwave Spectrometer for the Study of Pressure Broadening
Rebecca S. Hanania
Dr. Matthew M. Beaky, Faculty Mentor
Being able to accurately quantify the makeup of the atmosphere is necessary for determining the concentration of such things as greenhouse gases or industrial pollutants. In regions where on-site sampling is not available (such as hostile countries), remote sensing, using methods such as microwave spectroscopy, is necessary. Obtaining a quantitative picture of the composition of the atmosphere via remote sensing is very difficult because the width of spectral lines is dependent on pressure, which varies as a function of altitude. A microwave spectrometer has been constructed to study this pressure broadening effect. It has a frequency range of 8 to 26 GHz and is equipped to attain and measure gas pressures down to 0.1 millitorr. The construction of the spectrometer will be described, and preliminary results for ammonia will be presented.
Keywords: microwave, rotational, spectroscopy, pressure broadening
Topic(s):Physics
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 52-2
Location: VH 1408
Time: 3:00