Atmospheric Sciences

Mission

The mission of the Atmospheric Sciences Group is to develop advanced sensors and measurement techniques for monitoring trace species, including gases and aerosols, in the atmosphere. The group fields these sensors to support national and local applications ranging from global climate change, regional air quality, and homeland defense

In-situ air sampling probe for the PSI near-IR diode laser hygrometer mounted aboard the NASA P3B research aircraft.

Core Competencies

Core competencies of the group include chemical kinetics, spectroscopy, radiative transport, and aerosol microphysics. Core technologies include tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS), quantum cascade lasers (QCL), cavity enhanced spectroscopy (CES), spark and laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (S/LIBS), photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS), and lidar.

Current Research Thrusts Include:

• Compact Spark Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy-based Trigger for Bioaerosol Detection

- Sponsor: DHS

- Objective: This program is developing a sensor to act as a sentry for monitoring biological warfare agents. The sensor is intended for deployment in large public venues such as transportation stations, arenas, and office buildings.


• Laser-based Sensor for Routine, High Precision, Field Measurements of Ambient CO₂

- Sponsor: DOE

- Objective: This program is developing a very high precision, low cost sensor for CO₂ that can be deployed in national monitoring networks.



Area Leadership

Dr. David Sonnenfroh

The Atmospheric Sciences Group is led by Dr. David Sonnenfroh. Dr. Sonnenfroh has 17 years of experience developing advanced optically-based sensors and instrumentation for a range of applications for commercial and national defense programs.

David M. Sonnenfroh Physical Sciences Inc. 20 New England Business Center Andover, MA 01810-1077 Telephone: (978) 689-0003 Fax: (978) 689-3232 sonnenfroh@psicorp.com

 

 

Atmospheric Sciences Publications Atmospheric Sciences Presentations		Laser-Based Spectroscopic Sensors Photometric In-Situ Spectroscopy Applied Optics Enterprise Photonics Enterprise Chemical Reactor and Environmental Simulation Facilities Diagnostic and Sensor Development Facilities In-House Optical Sensor Calibration Facilities