Balloon-borne infrared measurements of the vertical distribution of N_2O in the atmosphere*

Abstract
The variation with altitude of the infrared solar spectrum in the 4.5-µm region was observed with a balloon-borne spectrometer. Line-by-line–layer-by-layer analysis of the N2O absorption lines in this region yields a detailed N2O mixing-ratio altitude profile up to ~20 km. The results show a nearly constant mixing ratio of ~0.33 ppm from 3 to 12 km followed by a gradual decrease to ~0.15 ppm near 19 km. The mixing ratio is estimated to be <0.01 ppm above 20 km.

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