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CPC

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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

2018

PZ, M Alvarado, C Chiu, S DeSzoeke, C Fairall, G Feingold, A Freedman, S Ghan, J Haywood, P Kollias, E Lewis, G McFarquhar, A McComiskey, D Mechem, T Onasch, J Redemann, D Romps, D Turner, H Wang, R Wood, S Yuter, and P Zhu. 2018. Layered Atlantic Smoke Interactions with Clouds (LASIC) Field Campaign Report. Ed. by Robert Stafford, ARM Climate Research Facility. DOE/SC-ARM-18-018.

Stolzenburg M and P McMurry. 2018. "Method to assess performance of scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS) instruments and software." Aerosol Science and Technology, 52(6), 10.1080/02786826.2018.1455962.

Stolzenburg M and P McMurry. 2018. "Accuracy of recovered moments for narrow mobility distributions obtained with commonly used inversion algorithms for mobility size spectrometers." Aerosol Science and Technology, 52(6), 10.1080/02786826.2018.1455963.

2017

Maahn M, G de Boer, J Creamean, G Feingold, G McFarquhar, W Wu, and F Mei. 2017. "The observed influence of local anthropogenic pollution on northern Alaskan cloud properties." Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 17(23), doi:10.5194/acp-17-14709-2017.

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.

Kourtchev I, C Giorio, A Manninen, E Wilson, B Mahon, J Aalto, M Kajos, D Venables, T Ruuskanen, J Levula, M Loponen, S Connors, N Harris, D Zhao, A Kiendler-Scharr, T Mentel, Y Rudich, M Hallquist, J Doussin, W Maenhaut, J Bäck, T Petäjä, J Wenger, M Kulmala, and M Kalberer. 2016. "Enhanced Volatile Organic Compounds emissions and organic aerosol mass increase the oligomer content of atmospheric aerosols." Scientific Reports, 6(1), 10.1038/srep35038.

Kangasluoma J, A Franchin, J Duplissy, L Ahonen, F Korhonen, M Attoui, J Mikkilä, K Lehtipalo, J Vanhanen, M Kulmala, and T Petäjä. 2016. "Operation of the Airmodus A11 nano Condensation Nucleus Counter at various inlet pressures and various operation temperatures, and design of a new inlet system." Atmospheric Measurement Techniques, 9(7), 10.5194/amt-9-2977-2016.

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 (CPC) Instrument Handbook. Ed. by Robert Stafford, ARM Climate Research Facility. DOE/SC-ARM-TR-145.

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