Instrument Development and Observations

Observations of atmospheric state and processes have provided the cornerstone for many advances in our understanding of atmospheric sciences, including our capability for predicting weather and understanding ozone depletion, climate variability and change.

A decade ago, the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research and the American Meteorological Society sponsored a study to survey meteorological and oceanographic education in observational techniques. The study concluded that the nation's teaching institutions are in general failing to produce graduates with sufficient knowledge and technical background to adequately deal with observations produced by new and emerging sensors and to produce the specialists who will be responsible for developing the next generation of observing systems and training the next generation of students in the field. It appears that the situation has only worsened in the past decade as general technological advances have far outstripped the ability of university atmospheric science programs to address these issues. This situation cannot persist if our nation is remain a leader in weather and global change research.

Currently ATOC is:

• Making contributions to the development and application of new sensor and platform technologies with applications to atmospheric science.
• Preparing a new generation of uniquely qualified Ph.D. specialists who will be responsible for designing developing, and implementing the next generation of observing systems and training the next generation of students in the field.

Major Research Efforts

The overall multidisciplinary research theme is application of analytical chemical and engineering techniques to the development and application of new sensor and platform technologies to support research in atmospheric sciences. The specific atmospheric research areas that will be supported include atmospheric chemistry and aerosols, cloud and precipitation physics, radiative transfer, and atmospheric turbulence and waves. The following research areas are foci at the University of Colorado:

Active remote sensing. Recent advances in technology and new methods of data analysis have helped to stimulate remote sensing science in general. New advancements in laser sources, microwave antennas, and microelectronics need to be integrated into active systems. Data processing capabilities can be enhanced with the full utilization of electronic devices and information networks. The integration of lidar and radar instrumentation with optical instrumentation will begin to provide a better assessment of the atmospheric composition, state, kinematics, and dynamics. Applications of active remote sensing technology to various science objectives involving clouds, precipitation, aerosols, chemical species, turbulence and atmospheric waves are being pursued by CU faculty.

Development and applications of passive radiometry. Improved radiometers are needed both for in situ measurements of radiation as well as for remote sensing. Of particular interest are broadband flux measurements, high-resolution spectral measurements, and microwave and submillimeter radiometers. Specific remote sensing applications for passive radiometery will focus on clouds and precipitation. CU currently has several spacecraft in orbit or being built to observe various portions of the atmosphere form the ground to the mesosphere.

Development and application of in situ instrumentation for atmospheric chemistry and aerosol research. A number of ongoing studies at CU and nearby laboratories (NOAA, NCAR) require the design, fabrication, testing, and deployment of sophisticated instruments for fast response in situ measurements of atmospheric species. CU investigators are actively involved in the development and deployment of sensitive, specific, and fast response in situ instruments to measure such chemical species as halogen oxides, water vapor, methane, CFCs, carbon monoxide, and particle composition and size distributions. The instruments are being designed to operate autonomously in remote locations and under hostile (low pressures and temperatures) conditions that can destroy most instruments. Typical tasks include design of multi-layer circuit boards, design and fabrication of computer A/D systems, development of new optical schemes and detection techniques, vacuum and mass spectrometric methods, and software development for data analysis and interpretation. Scientific issues to be addressed include ozone destruction in the lower stratosphere, stratosphere-troposphere exchange, halogen chemistry in the boundary layer at high and middle latitudes, sources and sinks of long-lived compounds and ozone, urban pollution, and aerosol formation, chemistry, evolution, and evaporation. Measurements will be conducted in the laboratory, from ground-based stations, research aircraft and commercial aircraft.

Recent and Ongoing Field Projects

• Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Program (ARM): Evans.
• SAGE III - Ozone Loss and Validation Experiment: Toon, Avallone, Toohey.
• Atmospheric chemistry missions: Toohey, Avallone.
• The Cirrus Regional study of Tropical Anvils and Cirrus Layers-Florida Area Cirrus Experiment: Toon, Avallone, Evans.
• MidCix: Avallone
• Plume Ultrafast Measurements Acquisition (PUMA): Toohey

Faculty Advisors

• Linnea Avallone
• Susan Avery
• Bill Emery
• John Gille
• Jose-Luis Jimenez
• Peter Pilewskie
• Gary Rottman
• Margaret Tolbert
• Darin Toohey
• Brian Toon

Local Resources

• NCAR Atmospheric Technology Division
• NOAA Environmental Technology Laboratory