Measurements of water vapor continuum absorption in the 3.5-4.0-gm region are presented. The measurements were made with both long-path absorption cell and spectrophone systems. A deuterium fluoride grating tunable laser was the ir source. Measurements were made at 231C and 65 C with 14.3 Torr and 65 Torr of water vapor, respectively, buffered to 760-Torr total pressure by an 80/20 mixture of N2 /0 2. Both natural water and a special sample of deuterium depleted water (one-fiftieth the normal concentration) were used. The 65°C results agree with previous measurements by other workers. The 23°C results indicate a continuum absorption at this temperature about a factor of 2 larger than expected based on the extrapolation scheme and high-temperature data (265°C) of others.
Founded in 1916, the Optical Society of America (OSA) was organized to increase and diffuse the knowledge of optics, pure and applied; to promote the common interests of investigators of optical problems, of designers and of users of optical apparatus of all kinds; and to encourage cooperation among them. The purposes of the Society are scientific, technical and educational.
The Optical Society of America brings together optics and photonics scientists, engineers, educators, and business leaders. OSA's membership totals 15,500 individuals from over 95 countries. Approximately 47% of the Society's members reside outside the United States.