Calculational Error In Laser Molecular Transmittance Due To Uncertainties In The Line And Meteorological Data

A study is presented of the variance of the monochromatic absorption coefficient and of the corresponding slant-path molecular transmittance due to errors in the tabulated line-parameter data and in the meteorological profiles used. General mathematical expressions for the variances are derived, which are simple and convenient to use in calculations involving specific atmospheric profiles and spectral line data. The results of calculations at eight representative frequencies for an assumed atmospheric profile and for typical uncertainties in the data, indicate that deviations larger than 0.01 should be reasonably expected in transmittance calculations along vertical atmospheric paths.