System Overview - Kipp & Zonen Brewer Mk III Operator's Manual

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SYSTEM OVERVIEW

Refer to Figure 1.1
Brewer Spectrophotometers are a family of scientific instruments, which measure Ultra Violet
radiation in the solar spectrum. By examining the differential absorption of select wavelengths in
the UVB portion of the spectrum, determinations of Total Column Ozone and Total Column Sulpher
Dioxide are inferred. In addition, especially with the MKIII double monochromator instrument,
accurate spectral intensity profiles of UV radiation in the 286.5 nm to 363 nm range are measured.
It is well recognized by the scientific community that marked fluctuations in atmospheric ozone and
sulphur dioxide concentrations are linked to a variety of adverse environmental conditions. The
ozone layer, which shields the Earth from the harmful effects of solar ultraviolet radiation, is
believed to be vulnerable to attack by fluorocarbons and other effluents. Many scientists fear its
depletion may irreversibly alter world climatic patterns.
Atmospheric sulphur dioxide is closely associated with the 'acid rain' phenomenon which, like
ozone depletion, has implications for the global environment.
Today's concern over the vulnerability of the ozone layer to destruction by atmospheric pollutants
has increased the demand for high-quality, globally-distributed, total Ozone and UV Spectral
measurements from a ground-based network of instrumentation. Since the early 1980's, the
Environment Canada (EC) has conducted the development of the Brewer Spectrophotometer for
the purpose of supplementing instrumentation in the World Ozone Network. Though the Dobson
instrument has served its purpose well since the 1930s, the Brewer Ozone Spectrophotometer is
today becoming the instrument of choice for researchers studying Ozone, Sulphur Dioxide, and UV
radiation.
At the request of the World Meteorological Organization, the EC has endeavored to make the
Brewer Spectrophotometer commercially available to the international scientific community. The
instrument and its accompanying accessories are manufactured and marketed under license by
KIPP & ZONEN, Delft, The Netherlands. As of 1998, more than 80 Brewer instruments have been
incorporated into the World Ozone Network and measurements are currently being taken at
research establishments in more than thirty different countries.
The Brewer Spectrophotometer is the core component of a complete Brewer System which is
comprised of the following:
Brewer Spectrophotometer
Solar Tracking System
IBM PC or compatible Computer operating Brewer Software
MKIII OPERATOR'S MANUAL
1. SYSTEM OVERVIEW
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