Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/B506000/1
Spectropolarimeter for remote sensing of cloud and aerosol composition.
Grant Award
- Principal Investigator:
- Professor ZJ Ulanowski, University of Hertfordshire, Science and Technology RI
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor JH Hough, University of Hertfordshire, School of Physics, Astronomy and Maths
- Grant held at:
- University of Hertfordshire, Science and Technology RI
- Science Area:
- Atmospheric
- Overall Classification:
- Atmospheric
- ENRIs:
- Global Change
- Science Topics:
- Water In The Atmosphere
- Radiative Processes & Effects
- Tropospheric Processes
- Climate & Climate Change
- Abstract:
- It is proposed to modify an imaging polarimeter originally built for astronomy. The instrument will become capable of measuring polarized light in the atmosphere as a continuous function of both scattering angle and wavelength in the near-infrared region. The primary aim will be remote retrieval of the composition of ice and ice-water clouds such as cirrus in terms of particle size and shape. However the same technique will be applicable to the sensing of atmospheric aerosol properties, including bimodal size distributions, composition, optical depth, and number concentration, thus removing retrieval ambiguities associated with other remote sensing methods. Following laboratory tests, the instrument will be validated in the field using simultaneous lidar, radar, radiometer, satellite and in-situ measurements. The project provides a fast, low-cost route towards exploitation of polarimetry as a remote sensing method by taking advantage of instrumentation and extensive experience already in existence in the astronomy community. The project sets out to address a key issue in a NERC priority area, namely improving our knowledge of the composition and structure of the atmosphere. Most notably, the proposed instrument will make it possible to increase our understanding of microphysical and radiative properties of clouds and atmospheric aerosols, which together form the largest area of uncertainty in climate models. Such improvements are perceived to be essential for more accurate climate modelling and numerical weather prediction.
- NERC Reference:
- NE/B506000/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Capital Equipment Pre FEC
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Capital Equipment
This grant award has a total value of £69,769
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - Staff | Total - T&S | Total - Other Costs | Total - Equipment | Total - Indirect Costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £20,513 | £3,467 | £15,492 | £20,861 | £9,436 |
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