Characterization of Long-Term Stability of Suomi NPP Cross-Track Infrared Sounder Spectral Calibration

Since early 2012, the cross-track infrared sounder (CrIS) onboard the Suomi National Polar-Orbiting Partnership satellite has continually provided the hyperspectral infrared observations for profiling atmospheric temperature, moisture, and greenhouse gases. The CrIS radiance data are also directly assimilated into global numerical weather prediction models to improve the medium-range forecasts. These important applications require accurate CrIS calibration. Since CrIS radiometric accuracy depends on the accurate spectral calibration, it is important to reduce the spectral uncertainty and increase the calibration stability for weather and climate applications. In this paper, the accuracy of CrIS spectral calibration and its stability are assessed using the operational sensor data record (SDR) data generated by the interface data processing segment (IDPS). A spectral validation method is developed and applied to clear scene data over ocean from September 22, 2012, to April 19, 2016. It is shown that CrIS metrology laser wavelength varies within 3 ppm, as measured by the Neon calibration subsystem. While the current CrIS operational algorithm is designed to have a spectra error less than 2 ppm, the actual spectral errors are about 4 ppm due to the IDPS software bugs. A new correction method is applied to fix the bugs and to further improve CrIS spectral calibration. It is found that the CrIS spectral calibration accuracy is less than 1 ppm in both normal and full spectral resolution SDR data sets.