Instrument

PALMS
Particle Analysis By Laser Mass Spectrometry

The Particle Analysis by Laser Mass Spectrometry (PALMS) is a laser ionization mass spectrometer owned and operated by NOAA. PALMS provides in situ measurements of aerosol particles and their chemical composition by using a pulse from a UV laser (193 nm) to generate ions. These ions are then analyzed with a time-of-flight mass spectrometer to provide the mass spectrum of each particle which can be used to classify the individual aerosol particles. PALMS has an aerosol size range of 0.2 to 3 microns and has a typical data rate of around 1 to 10 Hz. It can be utilized for either airborne or laboratory measurements of aerosols.

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

Measurement Type

Spectrometer/Radiometer

Measurement/Variables

Earth Science > Atmosphere > Aerosols > Chemical Composition

Earth Science > Atmosphere > Aerosols

Vertical Measurement Regions

Lower Stratosphere, Troposphere

Temporal Resolution

1-10 Hz

Spatial Resolution

N/A

Measurement Frequency

564 THz, 1553 THz

Calibration Details

Currently unavailble

Online Information

Lead Investigator
Gregory Schill
Technical Contact
Gregory Schill
Instrument Maker
NOAA
Funding Source
NOAA, NASA Atmospheric Effects of Aviation Program
Overview Publications
Overview Publication
Repositories
- Atmospheric Science Data Center (ASDC)
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory DAAC (ORNL)

Instrument Operation

Platform

Campaigns, where the platform was used with this instrument

DC-8

Douglas DC-8

38 Campaigns · 174 Instruments

SEAC4RS

Studies of Emissions and Atmospheric Composition, Clouds and Climate Coupling by Regional Surveys

2013

North America including portions of Canada, Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico

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· 20 Data Products

DC3

Deep Convective Clouds & Chemistry

2012

Northeastern Colorado, West Texas to Central Oklahoma, Northern Alabama

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· 19 Data Products

TC4

Tropical Composition, Cloud and Climate Coupling

2007

Costa Rica, tropical Eastern Pacific

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· 1 Data Product

ATom

Atmospheric Tomography Mission

2016—2018

Western Arctic, South Pacific, Atlantic Ocean, Greenland, Central North America

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· 41 Data Products

SARP

Student Airborne Research Program

2009—2030

Southern California, Virginia

Ongoing

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Deployment Dates

Start Date	End Date
2009-07-12	2009-08-13
2010-06-20	2010-07-30
2011-06-19	2011-07-29
2012-06-17	2012-08-10
2013-06-09	2013-08-02
2014-06-15	2014-08-08
2015-06-14	2015-08-07
2016-06-12	2016-08-05
2017-06-18	2017-08-11
2018-06-18	2018-08-10
2019-06-16	2019-08-09
2021-12-03	2021-12-10
2022-06-12	2022-08-05
2023-06-11	2023-08-04
2023-06-18	2023-08-11
2024-06-16	2024-08-09
2024-06-23	2024-08-16