Stratospheric NO2 and H2O mixing ratio profiles from high resolution infrared solar spectra using nonlinear least squares

Abstract
Nonlinear least squares spectral curve fitting has been used to derive vertical mixing ratio profiles for NO2 and H2O above 16 km from high resolution (∼.02 cm−1) solar spectra collected during sunset with a balloon borne interferometer. The NO2 profile shows a sharp peak of ˜8 ppbv at 32 km falling rapidly to 2O profile shows a broad peak of ˜6.5 ppmv at 30 km falling to <4 ppmv at 17 km.