Heterodyne Spectroradiometer for Precise Measurements of Carbon Dioxide

Recent developments around instrumental control of carbon balance are aimed at accurate evaluation of sources and sinks of major greenhouse gases (GHG) by natural landscapes, cities, industrial and agricultural objects. And we see a significant progress in the development of instruments based on commercial telecom components to make global GHG measurements accessible [1].

Fig. 1. Prototype of MLHS instrument performing measurements in Arctic region.

Here we present the Multichannel Laser Heterodyne Spectroradiometer (MLHS) for exploring the Earth's atmosphere in the near-infrared range, addressing the lack of coverage for greenhouse gases in existing measurement networks. High spectral resolution of solar occultation heterodyne spectroscopy enables us to study the structure and dynamics of the atmosphere while maintaining a compact and low-cost design.

Following the 2022 measurement campaign with a Fourier-spectrometer station for CO₂ and CH₄, we identified key limitations of the prototype. By improving thermal stability, optimizing optical scheme, and applying accurate sensors for atmospheric parameters, we are presenting the next generation of MLHS.

References

[1] Zenevich, Sergei, et al. "A concept of 2U spaceborne multichannel heterodyne spectroradiometer for greenhouse gases remote sensing." Remote Sensing 13.12 (2021): 2235.