CPC

cpc: Condensation Particle Counter

The Condensation Particle Counter (CPC) measures sub-micron aerosol particle number concentration by condensing fluid onto particles and causing them to grow to sizes that are easily detectable by optical scattering. The condensing liquid is typically an alcohol (e.g., butanol) or water.

Depending on the CPC type, typical CPC instruments can count particles with sizes that range from 3 to 3000 nanometers (ultrafine CPC) or from 10 to 3000 nanometers (fine CPC). The CPC is part of the Aerosol Observing System (AOS).

Measurements

Aerosol concentration

Cloud particle number concentration

Locations

Fixed
AMF1
AMF2
AMF3

Related Publications

2017

Fast J, L Berg, C Burleyson, J Fan, Z Feng, S Hagos, M Huang, A Guenther, A Laskin, M Ovchinnikov, J Shilling, M Shrivastava, H Xiao, R Zaveri, A Zelenyuk, C Kuang, J Wang, J Smith, D Turner, and P Gentine. 2017. Holistic Interactions of Shallow Clouds, Aerosols, and Land-Ecosystems (HI-SCALE) Field Campaign Report. Ed. by Robert Stafford, ARM Climate Research Facility. DOE/SC-ARM-17-014.

2016

Kalesse H, G DeBoer, A Solomon, M Oue, M Ahlgrimm, D Zhang, M Shupe, E Luke, and A Protat. 2016. "Understanding Rapid Changes in Phase Partitioning between Cloud Liquid and Ice in Stratiform Mixed-Phase Clouds: An Arctic Case Study." Monthly Weather Review, 144(12), 10.1175/mwr-d-16-0155.1. ONLINE.

Cecchini MA, LA Machado, JM Comstock, F Mei, J Wang, J Fan, JM Tomlinson, B Schmid, R Albrecht, ST Martin, and P Artaxo. 2016. "Impacts of the Manaus pollution plume on the microphysical properties of Amazonian warm-phase clouds in the wet season." Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, , 10.5194/acp-16-7029-2016.

Kuang C. 2016. Condensation Particle Counter Instrument Handbook. Ed. by Robert Stafford, ARM Climate Research Facility. DOE/SC-ARM-TR-145.