Characterization of atmospheric aerosols from infrared measurements: Simulations, testing, and applications

Alexander Yu Zasetsky, Alexei F. Khalizov, James J. Sloan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

An inversion method for the characterization of atmospheric condensed phases from infrared (IR) spectra is described. The method is tested with both synthetic IR spectra and the spectra of particles that flow in a cryogenic flow tube. The method is applied to the IR spectra recorded by the Atmospheric Trace Molecule Spectroscopy instrument carried by the Space Shuttle during three missions in 1992, 1993, and 1994. The volume density and particle size distribution for sulfate aerosol are obtained as a function of altitude. The density and size distribution of ice particles in several cirrus clouds are also retrieved. The probable radius of the ice particles in the high-altitude (10-15-km) cirrus clouds is found to be approximately 6-7 μm.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)5503-5511
Number of pages9
JournalApplied Optics
Volume43
Issue number29
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 10 2004
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
  • Engineering (miscellaneous)
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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