The evaluation of infra‐red radiative fluxes due to atmospheric water vapour

Abstract An empirical technique is developed for obtaining the flux transmission, over a narrow spectral interval, of an assembly of layers of varying pressure and temperature. Although verified only for a regular spectrum of the type proposed by Elsasser (1942), the technique should be valid for any type of spectrum. Using this technique as a check, an empirical method of sufficient accuracy is developed for evaluating the integrated flux transmission of an assembly of layers. This latter method enables the radiation‐chart procedures, advocated by Elsasser (1942), Robinson (1947), and Yamamoto (1952), to be tested for simply‐stratified atmospheric models. Such tests reveal that the effects of temperature are inadequately taken into account. A principle advocated by Cowling (1950b) is developed into a radiation‐chart procedure, in which the absorbing mass of each individual layer is corrected to a standard temperature and pressure. The coordinates of such a radiation chart are presented, but unfortunately adequate experimental data for the construction of such a chart are not yet available.