Holographic Spectrometer/Counter for Ice Nuclei Detection

Climate system science is being developed by using more sophisticated measurement methods and analysis technologies, including more advanced measurement capabilities for cloud properties via unmanned aerial systems- To accomplish this goal, there is a need for a lightweight (<6 kg), low power (<150 W) high-resolution cloud particle spectrometer/ counter for ice nuclei number concentration measurement instruments on a small unmanned aircraft system, with capabilities to operate in Arctic conditions- To address this need, development of a new miniature holographic spectrometer is proposed to measure properties of aerosols, cloud droplets and/or glaciated hydrometeortres- The proposed system improves current measurement performance to provide high-resolution three-dimensional detection of the cloud ice nuclei, distinguishing size, shape, and density of cloud particles over a wide range of sizes, thus offering significant advancement in fundamental understanding and modelling of terrestrial-aerosol-cloud system critical to increased accuracy of global environmental models- The system is based on a multi-aperture coherent digital in-line holographic camera using short-pulse laser diode illumination source, and a tiled array of high- resolution low-power miniature complementary metal-oxide semiconductor sensors commercially produced at low cost- Applying innovations in miniature avionic instrumentations, the proposed system offers a compact, minimum-component, low-power, low-weight cloud ice nuclei particle detector highly suitable for small unmanned aerial vehicle payload and ruggedized for extreme (e-g-, Arctic) conditions- Throughout the development, the subcontractor will provide essential data, design feedback, and test capabilities-