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Instrument

AIITS
Aerosol Ice Interface Transmission Spectrometer

The Aerosol Ice Interface Transmission Spectrometer (AIITS) is an airborne light scattering spectrometer developed by the University of Hertfordshire in collaboration with the University of Manchester. It measures forward scattering patterns and backscatter polarization ratio of particles in the size range of 1-100 μm to provide 2D images. These measurements can be used to determine particle size, number concentration, particle shape, liquid water/ice content, and other particle properties. AIITS operates at 532 nm wavelength and can reach rates up to 300 Hz for forward scattering measurements and up to 5000 Hz for backscatter polarization ratio measurements. AIITS is typically used for aerosol and ice crystal measurements within cirrus clouds.

AIITS instrument setup during ATTREX
NASA's DC-8 flying laboratory passes Antarctica's tallest peak, Mount Vinson, on Oct. 22, 2012, during a flight over the continent to measure changes in the massive ice sheet and sea ice. Credit: NASA/Michael Studinger (Photography courtesy NASA Images)

Overview

Instrument Details

Spectrometer/Radiometer
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Aerosols > Aerosol Forward Scatter
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Clouds > Cloud Microphysics > Cloud Liquid Water/ice
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Aerosols > Aerosol Backscatter
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Aerosols
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Aerosols > Aerosol Particle Properties
Troposphere
300 Hz, 5000 Hz
N/A
564 THz
Currently unavailble

  • Martin Gallagher

  • Martin Gallagher

  • University of Hertfordshire

  • Natural Environment Research Council

  • Currently unavailable

    • Unpublished

Instrument Operation

ATTREX

Airborne Tropical Tropopause Experiment

2011—2015
California, Guam, Tropics
view all deployment dates
4 Deployments
· 3 Data Products

Data Products