Rapid computation of the total band radiance by using the Spectrally Integrated Voigt Function

TL;DR

This paper introduces an improved Spectrally Integrated Voigt Function (SIVF) approximation that enables rapid and accurate computation of total band radiance, facilitating real-time atmospheric data analysis from space-based micro-spectrometers.

Contribution

The study develops more efficient SIVF approximations using a new sampling method, enhancing speed and accuracy in spectral radiance calculations for atmospheric applications.

Findings

SIVF approximations maintain accuracy at low spectral resolution.

Application of SIVF accelerates line-by-line spectral computations.

Potential for real-time greenhouse gas retrieval from space data.

Abstract

In our earlier publication we introduced the Spectrally Integrated Voigt Function (SIVF) as an alternative to the traditional Voigt function for the HITRAN-based applications [Quine & Abrarov, JQSRT 2013]. It was shown that application of the SIVF enables us to reduce spectral resolution without loss of accuracy in computation of the spectral radiance. As a further development, in this study we present more efficient SIVF approximations derived by using a new sampling method based on incomplete cosine expansion of the sinc function [Abrarov & Quine, Appl. Math. Comput. 2015]. Since the SIVF mathematically represents the mean value integral of the Voigt function, this method accounts for area under the curve of the Voigt function. Consequently, the total band radiance, defined as the integrated spectral radiance within a given spectral region, can also retain its accuracy even at low spectral resolution. Our numerical results demonstrate that application of the SIVF may be promising for more rapid line-by-line computation in atmospheric models utilizing the HITRAN molecular spectroscopic database. Such an approach may be particularly efficient to implement a retrieval algorithm for the greenhouse gases from the NIR space data collected by Earth-orbiting micro-spectrometers like Argus 1000 for their operation in a real-time mode. The real-time mode operation of the micro-spectrometers can be advantageous for instant decision making during flight for more efficient data collection from space.