Consulting
Consulting
schnaiTEC can share their experience and know-how in the following fields:
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Development of scientific instrumentation that is based on optical methods
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Instrumentation for laboratory research, e.g. cloud chamber instrumentation
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Instrumentation for field research, e.g. airborne instruments
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Particle light scattering simulations
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Expected signal of optical particle instruments, e.g. light scattering spectrometers
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Mie calculations for spherical particles
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Multiple-sphere clusters, e.g. absorption and light scattering by fractal soot particles
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T-matrix calculations for spheroidal particles
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Geometric optics for ice crystals
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Image analysis
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Processing of particle micrographs, e.g. from bright-field optical microscopy
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Extraction of microphysical properties from particle images
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Contact us for more information!
schnaiTEC can share their experience and know-how in the following fields:
-
Development of scientific instrumentation that is based on optical methods
-
Instrumentation for laboratory research, e.g. cloud chamber instrumentation
-
Instrumentation for field research, e.g. airborne instruments
-
-
Particle light scattering simulations
-
Expected signal of optical particle instruments, e.g. light scattering spectrometers
-
Mie calculations for spherical particles
-
Multiple-sphere clusters, e.g. absorption and light scattering by fractal soot particles
-
T-matrix calculations for spheroidal particles
-
Geometric optics for ice crystals
-
-
Image analysis
-
Processing of particle micrographs, e.g. from bright-field optical microscopy
-
Extraction of microphysical properties from particle images
-
Contact us for more information!
Do completely new research
Do completely new research
Shape Meets Scatter
PHIPS combines stereo-microscopic imaging and angular light scattering in a single airborne system for particle-resolved cloud measurements with unmatched detail and correlation.
Research Applications
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Cloud particle research
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Climate studies
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Aircraft icing
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Climate change and radiation balance
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Cloud simulation chambers
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Verification of radiation transfer models
Features
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Simultaneous measurement of:
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High-definition stereo-microscopic images of individual cloud particles
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Angular scattering function (on up to 32 channels)
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Particle size range: 10–1000 µm, particle speeds up to 250 m/s
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Stereo image rate: up to 10 Hz, scattering: up to 13 kHz
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Internal trigger system ensures precise event-based measurements
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Embedded mini-PC with SSD storage and Ethernet interface for real-time data access and control
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Compact, airborne design with heating and anti-icing system
Specifications
General
Power Requirements
Weight
Dimensions
Data System
Anti-ice (Group 1):115 VAC/ 400 Hz; max. 2.1 A (240 W)
Anti-ice (Group 2):115 VAC/ 400 Hz; max. 0.8 A (94 W)
System power:230 VAC/ 50 Hz; max. 0.5 A (115 W)
Total (max.): 449 W
12.8 kg (28.2 lb)
Overall length:1059 mm
Maximum diameter: 204 mm + Outlet extension: 50 mm
Length of instrument head: 460 mm
Integrated PC-104 with Intel i7 Quad Core processor, 2.4GHz, 8GB RAM, 6x 1GB LAN, and 500 GB SSD for autonomous instrument control and data acquisition
Polar Nephelometer
Optics
Detection Optics
Angular Range
Scattering Lase
up to 32 channels, each consisting of a 10 mm off-axis parabola mirror and a 1.25 mm PMMA fibre bundle
18° to 170° with a resolution of 8°
solid angle per channel: 0.01 sr, 5.5 mm field of view diameter
cw, 532 nm, 50 mW, 45° polarized, 50:1 polarization ratio
Electronics
Bandwidth
Detector
Signal Conditioning
Acquisition Rate
Dead Time
Signal Resolution
Size Range
48 MHz (= 21 ns resolution)
Multi-anode photomultiplier array with 32 channels
Four 8 x 12bit ADC boards
13 kHz maximum
12 µs (= minimum detectable particle interarrival time)
11 bit
Adjustable between 5 µm to 500 µm depending on the detector gain settings
Stereo Imager
Illumination Laser
Microscopes
Cameras
Size Range
incoherent, 640 nm pulsed laser diode, 10 ns pulse length, 150 W peak power, equipped with 1 mm PMMA fibre Y-split and collimating optics
Two 6.x zoom objectives for 120° stereo observation, magnification adjustable between 1.4x to 9.0x, 92 mm working distance, 2.35 µm maximum optical resolution
Two 1360x1024 pixel CCD, pixel size 6.45 µm*, 8 bit grey scale, field of view range between 6.27x4.72 mm and 0.98x0.73 mm (depending on the zoom settings of the microscopes), 15 Hz maximum frame rate, ethernet connection
3 µm to 3 mm depending on the zoom settings
* in conjunction with the zoom objective specs, the resolution is optically (lens) limited
Trigger System
Optics
Sensing Area
Coincidence Probability
Detector
Detection Threshold
25/40 mm (focal length) two lens system equipped with 0.75 mm PMMA fibre bundle, located a 90° scattering angle
0.18 mm^2 (mapped with droplet injector)
Less than 1% for ambient particle number concentrations
up to 1000 per cc
Channel 1 of the multi-anode photomultiplier array (see Polar Nephelometer)
Minimum 5 µm, adjustable for larger sizes depending on the detector gain and threshold settings
Operation
Schematic diagram of the PHIPS measurement setup
PHIPS uses an automated particle event triggering system, ensuring that only those particles are captured which are in the field of view – depth of field volume of the microscope unit.
Examples of Stereo Images
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Platforms
PHIPS has been certified for the following platforms
NSF/NCAR GV HIAPER
AWI Polar 5/6
NSF/NCAR C-130
DLR HALO
References
“The additional information from the PHIPS-HALO of phase function coupled with the image of the particle promises to open a new avenue of research into the optical properties of clouds.”
Darrel Baumgardner, Co-Founder of Droplet Measurement Technologies (DMT)
In: Baumgardner, D., S.J. Abel, D. Axisa, R. Cotton, J. Crosier, P. Field, C. Gurganus, A. Heymsfield, A. Korolev, M. Krämer, P. Lawson, G. McFarquhar, Z. Ulanowski, and J. Um, 2017: "Cloud Ice Properties: In Situ Measurement Challenges". Meteorological Monographs, 58, 9.1–9.23, https://doi.org/10.1175/AMSMONOGRAPHS-D-16-0011.1
Schnaiter, M., Järvinen, E., Abdelmonem, A., Leisner, T., "PHIPS-HALO: The airborne particle habit imaging and polar scattering probe - Part 2: Characterization and first results.", Atmospheric Measurement Techniques, 11, 341-357, 2018, doi:105194/amt-11-341-2018.
Abdelmonem, A., Järvinen, E., Duft, D., Hirst, E., Vogt, S., Leisner, T., Schnaiter, M., "PHIPS-HALO: The airborne particle habit imaging and polar scattering probe - Part 1: Design and operation.", Atmospheric Measurement Techniques, 9, 3131-3144, 2016, doi:105194/amt-9-3131-2016.