The mathematical principles and design of the NAIS – a spectrometer for the measurement of cluster ion and nanometer aerosol size distributions

S Mirme,A Mirme

doi:10.5194/amt-6-1061-2013

Abstract

Abstract. The paper describes the Neutral cluster and Air Ion Spectrometer (NAIS) – a multichannel aerosol instrument capable of measuring the distribution of ions (charged particles and cluster ions) of both polarities in the electric mobility range from 3.2 to 0.0013 cm2 V−1 s−1 and the distribution of aerosol particles in the size range from 2.0 to 40 nm. We introduce the principles of design, data processing and spectrum deconvolution of the instrument.

Highlights

Introduction particle detectionalthouHghytdherroe laoregryeceannt addvancements in this area. (Vanhanen et al, 2011; Lehtipalo et al, 2009; Jiang et al, 2011a,b; Kulmala eEt aal.r, t2h01S2).yIst hteasmbeen shown thatFormation of aerosol by nucleation of particles and their sub- the disagreement between standSarcdiemnobcileitys spectrometers sequent growth has been observed in the atmosphere almost below 20 nm is significant (Wiedensohler et al, 2012).everywhere around the world (Kulmala et al, 2004)
We introduce the Neutral cluster and Air Ion Spectrometer (NAIS, developed by Airel Ltd., Estonia) that uses the principle of electrical aerosol spectrometry
In this paper we describe the second generation NAIS, which was developed with the primary motivation to enable the instrument to operate at varying altitudes on board an aircraft, and to improve the reliability of regular measurements

Summary

Introduction

Introduction particle detectionalthouHghytdherroe laoregryeceannt addvancements in this area. (Vanhanen et al, 2011; Lehtipalo et al, 2009; Jiang et al, 2011a,b; Kulmala eEt aal.r, t2h01S2).yIst hteasmbeen shown thatFormation of aerosol by nucleation of particles and their sub- the disagreement between standSarcdiemnobcileitys spectrometers sequent growth has been observed in the atmosphere almost below 20 nm is significant (Wiedensohler et al, 2012).everywhere around the world (Kulmala et al, 2004). The. Distributions of particles with sizes below 3 nm can be formed particles, initially of nanometer size, may grow fur- measured by some instruments that sense air ions Distributions of particles with sizes below 3 nm can be formed particles, initially of nanometer size, may grow fur- measured by some instruments that sense air ions On local scales, these with an electric ter Mirme et al., 2c0h0ar7g)e,O)B, SceM.eg.Aa, nt(hBeaSlAacnISicee(dnASicrceaInonninSgpeMctorboimliteyparticles may be deleterious to atmospheric visibility and to Analyzer; Tammet, 2006). Nomenon are still poorly studied (Kulmala et al, 2007b) One reason for this is the difficulty of measuring aerosol particles in the size range of a few nanometers under atmospheric con-.

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Conclusion