An instrument for measuring size-resolved aerosol hygroscopicity at both sub- and super-micron sizes

Abstract

A new instrument to measure the size-resolved hygroscopic growth of both sub- and super-micron atmospheric aerosol is described. It consists of two white-light optical particle counters measuring the same sample aerosol simultaneously at two different controlled relative humidities. Calibration with aerosols of different refractive index confirms the expected relative insensitivity of the instrument to index of refraction. Data obtained in the field from airborne sampling support the utility of the instrument in measuring differences in size-resolved hygroscopicity in the marine boundary layer and also in addressing the issue of kinetic limitations to aerosol condensational growth. Copyright © American Association for Aerosol Research.