FLIGHT PERFORMANCES OF A TUNABLE DIODE LASER SPECTROMETER FOR STRATOSPHERIC AEROSOL CHEMICAL COMPOSITION MEASUREMENTS

摘要

We describe the characteristics and performances of a Tunable Diode Laser Spectrometer (TDLS) for the measurement of the nitric acid and water concentration in air, for airborne operation. The instrument is installed on the stratospheric aircraft Geophysica M55, as a part of a composite instrumental payload (Counterflow Virtual Impactor, CVI) for the in situ assessment of the chemical and microphysical properties of the cloud aerosols. The CVI payload was deployed in the scientific campaign named "Airborne Platform for Earth observation - THird European experiment on Stratospheric Ozone" (APE-THESEO), held in Mahe (Seychelles) from 15 February to 15 March, 1999, where it performed 3 successful scientific flights.