Analysis of a Point-Source Integrating-Cavity Absorption Meter

Abstract

We evaluate the theoretical performance of a point-source integrating-cavity absorption meter (PSICAM) with Monte Carlo simulations and a sensitivity analysis. We quantify the scattering errors, verifying that they are negligible for most ocean optics applications. Although the PSICAM detector response is highly sensitive to the value of the wall reflectivity, the absorption of an unknown fluid can be accurately determined with a PSICAM if appropriate reference solution(s) are chosen. We also quantify the error that results if the source is not perfectly isotropic, finding that moderate amounts of source anisotropy can be tolerated provided that the detector is properly located with respect to the source.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 20, 2000
Accession Number
ADA465051

Entities

People

  • Curtiss O. Davis
  • Robert A. Leathers
  • T. V. Downes

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Sensors

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Absorption
  • Absorption Coefficients
  • Coefficients
  • Detectors
  • Distribution Functions
  • Equations
  • Errors
  • Light Sources
  • Materials
  • Measurement
  • Military Research
  • Monte Carlo Method
  • Optical Properties
  • Optics
  • Reflectivity
  • Simulations
  • Sorption

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Atmospheric Science / Meteorology, specifically Wind Wave Turbulence.
  • Computational Modeling and Simulation
  • Optical Physics and Photonics.