Accurate measurements of the optical properties of aerosols are needed in order to quantify the effects that aerosols have on climate change. While Mie scattering theory is capable of accurately modeling the interaction of light with spherical, single-component, non-absorbing aerosols, various methods must be used to correct the calculation when multi-component, absorbing aerosols are modeled. Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy (CRDS) is an optical absorption technique that is ideal for measuring extinction coefficients as well as scattering and absorption parameters for atmospheric aerosols. After characterization of the pulsed CRDS system at λ = 532 nm with various sizes of polystyrene spheres, optical data from laboratory generated multi-component aerosols are compared with predicted Mie scattering modeling of aerosols. Various correction techniques are applied to the calculation to determine ways to more accurately model multi-component aerosols. Because most atmospheric aerosols are multi-component, a better understanding of how to theoretically treat them will lead to more accurate models of real-world aerosol interaction with light.

Comparison of experimental aerosol optical properties to Mie scattering theory of multi-component aerosols

251st National Meeting (2016)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.