Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-392
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-392
15 Mar 2023
 | 15 Mar 2023

Concept, absolute calibration and validation of a new, bench-top laser imaging polar nephelometer

Alireza Moallemi, Robin Lewis Modini, Benjamin Tobias Brem, Barbara Bertozzi, Philippe Giaccari, and Martin Gysel-Beer

Abstract. Polar nephelometers provide in situ measurements of aerosol angular light scattering and play an essential role in validating numerically calculated phase functions or inversion algorithms used in space-borne and land-based aerosol remote sensing. In this study, we present a prototype of a new polar nephelometer called uNeph. The instrument is designed to measure the phase function, F11, and polarized phase function, –F12/F11 over the scattering range of around 5° to 175° with an angular resolution of 1° at a wavelength of 532 nm. In this work, we present details of the data processing procedures and instrument calibration approaches. The uNeph was validated in a laboratory setting using mono-disperse polystyrene latex (PSL) and Di-Ethyl-Hexyl-Sebacate (DEHS) aerosol particles over a variety of sizes, ranging from 200 nm to 800 nm. An error model was developed and the level of agreement between uNeph measurements and Mie theory was found to be consistent within the uncertainties of the measurements and the uncertainties of the input parameters for the theoretical calculations. The estimated measurement errors were between 5 % to 10 % (relative) for F11 and smaller than ~0.1 (absolute) for –F12/F11. Additionally, by applying the Generalized Retrieval of Aerosol and Surface Properties (GRASP) inversion algorithm to the measurements conducted with broad unimodal DEHS aerosol particles, the volume concentration, size distribution and refractive index of the ensemble of aerosol particles were accurately retrieved. This paper demonstrates that the uNeph prototype can be used to conduct accurate measurements of aerosol phase function and polarized phase function and to retrieve aerosol properties through inversion algorithms.

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Journal article(s) based on this preprint

08 Aug 2023
Concept, absolute calibration, and validation of a new benchtop laser imaging polar nephelometer
Alireza Moallemi, Robin L. Modini, Benjamin T. Brem, Barbara Bertozzi, Philippe Giaccari, and Martin Gysel-Beer
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 16, 3653–3678, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-3653-2023,https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-3653-2023, 2023
Short summary
Alireza Moallemi, Robin Lewis Modini, Benjamin Tobias Brem, Barbara Bertozzi, Philippe Giaccari, and Martin Gysel-Beer

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-392', Anonymous Referee #1, 28 Mar 2023
    • AC1: 'Replies to RC1 and RC2', Martin Gysel-Beer, 30 May 2023
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-392', Reed Espinosa, 18 Apr 2023
    • AC2: 'Replies to RC1 and RC2', Martin Gysel-Beer, 30 May 2023

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-392', Anonymous Referee #1, 28 Mar 2023
    • AC1: 'Replies to RC1 and RC2', Martin Gysel-Beer, 30 May 2023
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-392', Reed Espinosa, 18 Apr 2023
    • AC2: 'Replies to RC1 and RC2', Martin Gysel-Beer, 30 May 2023

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
AR by Martin Gysel-Beer on behalf of the Authors (19 Jun 2023)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish as is (21 Jun 2023) by Mingjin Tang
AR by Martin Gysel-Beer on behalf of the Authors (23 Jun 2023)  Manuscript 

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

08 Aug 2023
Concept, absolute calibration, and validation of a new benchtop laser imaging polar nephelometer
Alireza Moallemi, Robin L. Modini, Benjamin T. Brem, Barbara Bertozzi, Philippe Giaccari, and Martin Gysel-Beer
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 16, 3653–3678, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-3653-2023,https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-3653-2023, 2023
Short summary
Alireza Moallemi, Robin Lewis Modini, Benjamin Tobias Brem, Barbara Bertozzi, Philippe Giaccari, and Martin Gysel-Beer

Model code and software

Platform for GRASP open source code Get public access to the code, documentation and user assistance GRASP-SAS https://www.grasp-sas.com/

miepython: a pure Python module to calculate light scattering by non-absorbing, partially-absorbing, or perfectly conducting spheres Scott Prahl https://github.com/scottprahl/miepython

Alireza Moallemi, Robin Lewis Modini, Benjamin Tobias Brem, Barbara Bertozzi, Philippe Giaccari, and Martin Gysel-Beer

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Short summary
Polarimetric data, that is angular and polarization dependence of light scattering by an aerosol, contain ample information on its optical and microphysical properties. Retrieval of these properties is a central approach in aerosol remote sensing. We present a description, calibration, validation and a first application of a new benchtop polar nephelometer, which provides in situ polarimetric measurements of an aerosol. Such data facilitate closure between retrieval results and independent data.