A Low Cost, High Capacity Storage Module for Data Grids in Particle Physics

65421 Trace species such as ammonia (NH3) and nitric acid (HNO3) vapor are involved in several important chemical cycles that impact the radiative balance of the troposphere. Both are involved in aerosol formation, and nitric acid impacts ozone chemistry by serving as a sink for nitrogen oxides. New and compact instrumentation is required to make accurate measurements of these species from small aircraft. Both NH3 and HNO3 are present in the atmosphere at concentrations as low as 10 to 100 parts per trillion. This project will design, develop, and demonstrate a new high sensitivity optical absorption spectrometer to monitor these species. The spectrometer will utilize newly emerging Quantum Cascade laser technology to enable access to fundamental absorption bands. This source will be combined with an enhanced optical cavity absorption technique that will provide sensitivities to 10 pptv of the target species. Phase I will couple a quantum cascade laser with a high finesse optical cavity to demonstrate the required measurement precision for ambient monitoring of ammonia. Also, a complete conceptual design for a compact, lightweight sensor that is particularly well suited for airborne monitoring will be developed. Commercial Applications And Other Benefits as described by awardee: This program will demonstrate a new highly sensitive monitor for trace gases. The sensor should fulfill a long-standing need in several research enterprises, including environmental and air quality monitoring. Other applications include combustion emissions analysis, fugitive emissions control, industrial process control, and contraband detection.