Precision high resolution fourier transform spectroscopy of greenhouse gases at millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths

Dispersive Fourier transform spectroscopy (DFTS) provides us with a very effective technique for the measurement of absorption and refractive index spectra of environmentally hazardous gases. This paper presents the rotational transition lines and refractive index spectra of Nitrous Oxide gas as a function of varying pressure using DFTS for the very first time. The relationship between the variation of the pressure and the change in the absorption spectrum is examined and discussed in detail. Nitrous Oxide (NO₂) gas is considered a harmful greenhouse gas and is the third largest contributor to overall global warming after Carbon Dioxide and Methane. This study demonstrates the ability of our setup to accurately identify and characterize NO₂ gas at differing pressures over a broadband frequency spectrum. These findings presented from 300 GHz - 900 GHz are therefore of great importance in the ongoing struggle to battle global warming.