2D-S Stereo Probe

Status

Status
Operational
Operated By
PI
Replaced By

The 2D-S Stereo Probe is an optical imaging instrument that obtains stereo cloud particle images and concentrations using linear array shadowing. Two diode laser beams cross at right angles and illuminate two linear 128-photodiode arrays. The lasers are single-mode, temperature-stabilized, fiber-coupled diode lasers operating at 45 mW. The optical paths are arbitrarily labeled the “vertical” and “horizontal” probe channels, but the verticality of each channel actually depends on how the probe is oriented on an aircraft. The imaging optical system is based on a Keplerian telescope design having a (theoretical) primary system magnification of 5X, which results in a theoretical effective size of (42.5 µm + 15 µm)/5 = 11.5 µm. However, actual lenses and arrays have tolerances, so it is preferable to measure the actual effective pixel size by dropping several thousands of glass beads with known diameters through the object plane of the optics system.

Instrument Type
Recent Missions
(P-3 Orion - WFF)
;
(P-3 Orion - WFF)
;
(WB-57 - JSC)
;
(WB-57 - JSC)
;
(DC-8 - AFRC)
;
(Global Hawk - AFRC)
Point(s) of Contact
(Prev PI),
(POC; PI)
Range of Measurement
In situ
Weight
17.80 kg
Size
92.00 cm (L) x 18.00 cm (W) x 25.00 cm (H)
Power:
950.00 W
(maximum
2000.00 W
)
Has Pressurized Canisters? Yes
Location
Right Wing Hatch / SUPERPOD on WB-57(MACPEX)
Right Wing Spearpod Adapter Ring on WB-57 (POSIDON, REThinC)
Notes
2 imaging probes; particle size 10-1280 microns. Measures particle size distribution and black and white images. Derives extinction, particle concentration, ice water content and particle shape.
Mission-Specific Writeups
TRL
9
Publications