Hydrated and Dried Aerosol-Size-Distribution Measurements from the Particle Measuring Systems FSSP-300 Probe and the Deiced PCASP-100X Probe

J. Walter Strapp Cloud Physics Research Division, Atmospheric Environment Service, Downsview, Ontario, Canada

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W. R. Leaitch Cloud Physics Research Division, Atmospheric Environment Service, Downsview, Ontario, Canada

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P. S. K. Liu Cloud Physics Research Division, Atmospheric Environment Service, Downsview, Ontario, Canada

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Abstract

Comparisons of particle-size distributions measured by Particle Measuring Systems FSSP-300 and PCASP-100X probes through a range of relative humidities reveal that the deiced PCASP-100X probe dries hydrated submicron aerosols before measurement. The FSSP-300 appears to measure the particles in their hydrated state and detects the expected growth in the particle spectrum with increasing relative humidity. Calibration changes fox refractive-index changes with hydration are not applicable to the deiced PCASP-100X probe but are for the FSSP-300. The combined use of the two probes with their differing responses to hydrated aerosols may provide information related to the chemical composition of the aerosol.

Abstract

Comparisons of particle-size distributions measured by Particle Measuring Systems FSSP-300 and PCASP-100X probes through a range of relative humidities reveal that the deiced PCASP-100X probe dries hydrated submicron aerosols before measurement. The FSSP-300 appears to measure the particles in their hydrated state and detects the expected growth in the particle spectrum with increasing relative humidity. Calibration changes fox refractive-index changes with hydration are not applicable to the deiced PCASP-100X probe but are for the FSSP-300. The combined use of the two probes with their differing responses to hydrated aerosols may provide information related to the chemical composition of the aerosol.

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