Harvard Tracer Suite

HTS is composed of two instruments based on absorption of near-infrared laser radiation in high finesse optical cavities. A Picarro G2401-m analyzer based on wavelength-scanned cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) measures CO2, CH4, and CO concentrations at 2-second intervals. A Los Gatos 913-0014 EP analyzer based on off-axis integrated cavity output spectroscopy (ICOS) measures N2O and CO concentrations at 1-second intervals. Extensive modifications have been applied to these commercial analyzers for flight and include vibration isolation, temperature control, additional flow control and pumping capacity for high-altitude sampling, sample drying, and in-flight calibrations using WMO-traceable compressed gas standards to verify stable and accurate performance throughout the full DC-8 flight envelope.

Instrument Type
Laser absorption,
Spectrometer (in situ)
Measurements
CO,
CO2,
CH4,
N2O
Aircraft
DC-8 - AFRC
Point(s) of Contact
Bruce Daube
(POC; PI),
Steven C. Wofsy
(PI),
Jasna V. Pittman
(Co-I)
Range of Measurement
In situ
Has Pressurized Canisters? Yes

 

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