Fast and sensitive measurements of sub-3 nm particles using Condensation Particle Counters For Atmospheric Rapid Measurements (CPC FARM)

Cheng, Darren; Amanatidis, Stavros; Lewis, Gregory S.; Jen, Coty N.

doi:10.5194/amt-18-197-2025

Title: Fast and sensitive measurements of sub-3 nm particles using Condensation Particle Counters For Atmospheric Rapid Measurements (CPC FARM)

Journal Article · 15 January 2025 · Atmospheric Measurement Techniques (Online)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-197-2025 · OSTI ID:2500937

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^[2]; Lewis, Gregory S. ^[2];

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Carnegie Mellon Univ., Pittsburgh, PA (United States)
Aerosol Dynamics, Inc., Berkeley, CA (United States)

New particle formation (NPF) is the atmospheric process whereby gas molecules react and nucleate to form detectable particles. NPF has a strong impact on Earth's radiative balance as it produces roughly half of global cloud condensation nuclei. However, the time resolution and sensitivity of current instrumentation are inadequate in measuring the size distribution of sub-3 nm particles, the particles critical for understanding NPF. Here we present the Condensation Particle Counters For Atmospheric Rapid Measurements (CPC FARM), a method to measure the concentrations of freshly nucleated particles. The CPC FARM consists of five CPCs operating in parallel, each configured to operate at different detectable particle sizes between 1–3 nm. This study explores two methods to calculate the size distribution from the differential measurements across the CPC channels. The performance of both inversion methods was tested against the size distribution measured by a pair of stepping particle mobility sizers (SMPSs) during an ambient air sampling study in Pittsburgh, PA. Observational results indicate that the CPC FARM is more accurate with higher time resolution and sensitivity in the sub-3 nm range compared to the SMPS.

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Research Organization:: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Data Center

Sponsoring Organization:: National Science Foundation (NSF); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC05-00OR22725; SC0022224

OSTI ID:: 2500937

Journal Information:: Atmospheric Measurement Techniques (Online), Journal Name: Atmospheric Measurement Techniques (Online) Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 18; ISSN 1867-8548

Publisher:: Copernicus Publications, EGUCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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