Aircraft instrument design for in-situ tropospheric OH measurements by laser-induced fluorescence at low pressures

William H. Brune; Philip S. Stevens; James H. Mather

doi:10.1117/12.140194

12 February 1993 An aircraft instrument design for in situ tropospheric OH measurements by laser induced fluorescence at low pressures

William H. Brune, Philip S. Stevens, James H. Mather

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 1715, Optical Methods in Atmospheric Chemistry; (1993) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.140194
Event: Environmental Sensing '92, 1992, Berlin, Germany

Abstract

The hydroxyl radical (OH) is important for many processes involved in tropospheric chemistry. For instance, it initiates the photochemical degradation of gases that cause global climate change, such as methane and the chlorofluorocarbon substitutes (HCFCs). Because of its reactivity, its abundances are less than 0.1 pptv. Thus, OH has been very difficult to measure accurately, despite its importance. Techniques have evolved, however, so that good measurements of tropospheric OH abundances are now possible. One of these techniques that is adaptable to aircraft measurements is the laser induced fluorescence detection of the OH radical in a detection chamber at low pressures. The current ground-based instrument, which can be readily adapted to aircraft, can detect OH abundances of 1.4 x 10 exp 5 OH molecules/cu cm with S/N = 2 in 30 sec, and 5 x 10 exp 4/cu cm in 5 min.

Citation Download Citation

William H. Brune, Philip S. Stevens, and James H. Mather "An aircraft instrument design for in situ tropospheric OH measurements by laser induced fluorescence at low pressures", Proc. SPIE 1715, Optical Methods in Atmospheric Chemistry, (12 February 1993); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.140194

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