Development of an Aircraft Aerosol Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer (ATOFMS) for Rapid Measurement of Aerosol Size and Composition

University Of California-San Diego, La Jolla CA

Investigators

Abstract

In this project, an aircraft version of an aerosol time-of-flight mass spectrometer (ATOFMS) for fast real-time analysis of individual particle size and chemical composition will be developed. The instrument will couple aerodynamic particle sizing and laser desorption/ionization with time-of-flight mass spectrometry for composition analysis. The design will be based on several existing instruments in the PI's laboratory (mobile/ground based) and take advantage of new technologies to achieve significant reductions in size, weight, and power consumption, and autonomous operation. In order to make the instrument suitable for aircraft operation, a new interface will be designed for increased sampling efficiency and higher temporal resolution. Other modifications will be aimed at improving the efficiency of detecting smaller particles. This instrument will provide the ability to measure, semi-quantitatively, the chemical composition of individual atmospheric particles from aircraft. These measurements will provide detailed information on the sources, transport, and transformation of aerosols and on the particle mixing state, which is information currently inaccessible from bulk measurement techniques. The project will provide educational opportunities for undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral students.