Four Dimensional (4-D) Atmospheric Instrumentation

We are proposing an airborne version of our LISST-series laser diffraction particle sensors for measuring cloud droplet properties. The instrument will be configured as an aircraft borne device, though an ultra-low weight version for balloon-sondeapplications is also possible. The device measures concentration in 32 log-spaced size classes. It will be self-contained, with laser and electronics enclosed in a single package, to be mounted below an aircraft wing. The size-range of interest is 1.2-250microns. The concentration range of interest is from 0.1-1000 micro-liter of water/meter^3 of air. The principal task of this proposal is to advance the achievable sensitivity of the laser diffraction device. A laboratory set up is to be constructed. Thedevice is needed as a lower-cost alternative to present day sensors that are used for research on cloud dynamics .