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Advanced Laser Technology for Atmospheric Research
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ALTAiR
We develop and employ new and advanced optical technologies, including spectroscopic instruments for trace gas detection, and advanced algorithms for the next generation of ground-based and airborne atmospheric measurements. Working with atmospheric modelers, the ALTAiR group uses the high-quality data thus obtained to further advance our understanding of atmospheric processes and chemical transformations.
Alan Fried
Co-Director
Dirk Richter
Co-Director
Petter Weibring
Research scientist
James Walega
Research staff
Contact
Alan Fried Phone: 303 492-7559 4001 Discovery Drive, Boulder, CO 80303
In the news
Hunting for emissions thousands of feet up (CU Boulder Today) ↪
Scientific flights above the Front Range will help scientists and policymakers cut unnecessary emissions, reduce greenhouse gases and help local residents breathe better.
Research
A major focus is the development of ever more sensitive, selective, lighter, and autonomous instruments. Although ALTAiR instruments have centered on measuring the trace gas formaldehyde, our approach can be adapted to detect many other trace atmospheric gases. For example, our CAMS instrument is being upgraded for simultaneous fast measurements of formaldehyde with ethane, the most abundant nonmethane hydrocarbon in the atmosphere and the second most abundant constituent of natural gas. Other trace gases are also under consideration for study.
Measuring the trace gas formaldehyde
In 2006, we developed and successfully deployed the world’s first infrared absorption spectrometer employing non-linear optical mixing, known as difference frequency generation (DFG), on airborne platforms for ultrasensitive measurements of the trace gas formaldehyde. Using this and older technologies, ALTAiR group members have acquired measurements of this important ozone and hydrogen radical precursor from the arctic boundary layer, to lower and upper atmospheric regions of China, Japan, remote Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, Alaska, and various locations over the United States, Canada, and Mexico.Working in close collaboration with atmospheric modelers, the ALTAiR group further analyze their high quality data thus acquired to advance the understanding of atmospheric hydrocarbon oxidation processes, chemical transformations, and ozone production rates throughout the troposphere and lower stratosphere.
Formaldehyde transport from lower to high altitudes
In 2012, the ALTAiR group developed a new lighter and even more sensitive DFG spectrometer for the NCAR/NSF Gulfstream-V aircraft to study formaldehyde transported from low altitudes to the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere (UT/LS) during the 2012 Deep Convective Clouds and Chemistry (DC3) Study. Such transport affects hydrogen radicals and ozone formation in the UT/LS. The ALTAiR group also deployed their older DFG instrument on the NASA DC-8 aircraft during the DC3 study.
A publication describing the new DFG infrared absorption spectrometer (Compact Atmospheric Multispecies Spectrometer, CAMS) on the GV aircraft and new multipass sampling cell is forthcoming.
Formaldehyde fluxes in arctic snowpack
The ALTAiR group deployed their older DFG instrument during the 2009 Ocean-Atmosphere-Sea Ice-Snowpack (OASIS) Study to measure formaldehyde fluxes from the arctic snowpack. During the arctic spring, boundary layer ozone is often completely or mostly depleted by reactions involving chlorine and bromine compounds. As formaldehyde is intimately involved in these reactions, quantifying formaldehyde snow emissions is important for a comprehensive understanding of the chemical processes involved. The gradient flux method, using sonic anemometers on two sampling towers, was employed.
Publications
In addition to more than 120 journal publications discussing their results and new instrument developments, the ALTAiR group published a book chapter detailing both theoretical and practical aspects of infrared absorption measurements. The chapter is in Analytical Techniques for Atmospheric Measurement.
Publications for Richter and Weibring are shown below. Many were co-authored by Fried. His publications can be seen with Google Scholar search results for author:"Alan Fried". Then click on "all time" to see his older publications.
Parameterizations of US wildfire and prescribed fire emission ratios and emission factors based on FIREX-AQ aircraft measurements
Gkatzelis GI; Coggon MM; Stockwell CE; Hornbrook RS; Allen H; Apel EC; Bela MM; Blake DR; Bourgeois I; Brown SS...
- Gkatzelis GI
- Coggon MM
- Stockwell CE
- Hornbrook RS
- Allen H
- Apel EC
- Bela MM
- Blake DR
- Bourgeois I
- Brown SS
Publication Date: 2024-01-23
Type: Journal Article
Parameterizations of US wildfire and prescribed fire emission ratios and emission factors based on FIREX-AQ aircraft measurements
Gkatzelis GI; Coggon MM; Stockwell CE; Hornbrook RS; Allen H; Apel EC; Ball K; Bela MM; Blake DR; Bourgeois I...
- Gkatzelis GI
- Coggon MM
- Stockwell CE
- Hornbrook RS
- Allen H
- Apel EC
- Ball K
- Bela MM
- Blake DR
- Bourgeois I
Type: Journal Article
Supplementary material to "Parameterizations of US wildfire and prescribed fire emission ratios and emission factors based on FIREX-AQ aircraft measurements"
Gkatzelis GI; Coggon MM; Stockwell CE; Hornbrook RS; Allen H; Apel EC; Ball K; Bela MM; Blake DR; Bourgeois I...
- Gkatzelis GI
- Coggon MM
- Stockwell CE
- Hornbrook RS
- Allen H
- Apel EC
- Ball K
- Bela MM
- Blake DR
- Bourgeois I
Type: Journal Article
Effect of Marine and Land Convection on Wet Scavenging of Ozone Precursors Observed During a SEAC(4)RS Case Study
Cuchiara GC; Fried A; Barth MC; Bela MM; Homeyer CR; Walega J; Weibring P; Richter D; Woods S; Beyersdorf A...
- Cuchiara GC
- Fried A
- Barth MC
- Bela MM
- Homeyer CR
- Walega J
- Weibring P
- Richter D
- Woods S
- Beyersdorf A
Publication Date: 2023-03-16
Type: Journal Article
Composition and reactivity of volatile organic compounds in the South Coast Air Basin and San Joaquin Valley of California
Liu S; Barletta B; Hornbrook RS; Fried A; Peischl J; Meinardi S; Coggon M; Lamplugh A; Gilman JB; Gkatzelis G...
- Liu S
- Barletta B
- Hornbrook RS
- Fried A
- Peischl J
- Meinardi S
- Coggon M
- Lamplugh A
- Gilman JB
- Gkatzelis G
Publication Date: 2022-08-29
Type: Journal Article
Supplementary material to "Composition and Reactivity of Volatile Organic Compounds in the South Coast Air Basin and San Joaquin Valley of California"
Liu S; Barletta B; Hornbrook RS; Fried A; Peischl J; Meinardi S; Coggon M; Lamplugh A; Gilman JB; Gkatzelis GI...
- Liu S
- Barletta B
- Hornbrook RS
- Fried A
- Peischl J
- Meinardi S
- Coggon M
- Lamplugh A
- Gilman JB
- Gkatzelis GI
Type: Journal Article
Composition and Reactivity of Volatile Organic Compounds in the South Coast Air Basin and San Joaquin Valley of California
Liu S; Barletta B; Hornbrook RS; Fried A; Peischl J; Meinardi S; Coggon M; Lamplugh A; Gilman JB; Gkatzelis GI...
- Liu S
- Barletta B
- Hornbrook RS
- Fried A
- Peischl J
- Meinardi S
- Coggon M
- Lamplugh A
- Gilman JB
- Gkatzelis GI
Type: Journal Article
Photochemical evolution of the 2013 California Rim Fire: synergistic impacts of reactive hydrocarbons and enhanced oxidants
Wolfe GM; Hanisco TF; Arkinson HL; Blake DR; Wisthaler A; Mikoviny T; Ryerson TB; Pollack I; Peischl J; Wennberg PO...
- Wolfe GM
- Hanisco TF
- Arkinson HL
- Blake DR
- Wisthaler A
- Mikoviny T
- Ryerson TB
- Pollack I
- Peischl J
- Wennberg PO
Publication Date: 2022-04-01
Type: Journal Article
Formaldehyde evolution in US wildfire plumes during the Fire Influence on Regional to Global Environments and Air Quality experiment (FIREX-AQ)
Liao J; Wolfe GM; Hannun RA; St Clair JM; Hanisco TF; Gilman JB; Lamplugh A; Selimovic V; Diskin GS; Nowak JB...
- Liao J
- Wolfe GM
- Hannun RA
- St Clair JM
- Hanisco TF
- Gilman JB
- Lamplugh A
- Selimovic V
- Diskin GS
- Nowak JB
Publication Date: 2021-12-17
Type: Journal Article
Supplementary material to "Photochemical Evolution of the 2013 California Rim Fire: Synergistic Impacts of Reactive Hydrocarbons and Enhanced Oxidants"
Wolfe GM; Hanisco TF; Arkinson HL; Blake DR; Wisthaler A; Mikoviny T; Ryerson TB; Pollack I; Peischl J; Wennberg PO...
- Wolfe GM
- Hanisco TF
- Arkinson HL
- Blake DR
- Wisthaler A
- Mikoviny T
- Ryerson TB
- Pollack I
- Peischl J
- Wennberg PO
Type: Journal Article
Photochemical Evolution of the 2013 California Rim Fire: Synergistic Impacts of Reactive Hydrocarbons and Enhanced Oxidants
Wolfe GM; Hanisco TF; Arkinson HL; Blake DR; Wisthaler A; Mikoviny T; Ryerson TB; Pollack I; Peischl J; Wennberg PO...
- Wolfe GM
- Hanisco TF
- Arkinson HL
- Blake DR
- Wisthaler A
- Mikoviny T
- Ryerson TB
- Pollack I
- Peischl J
- Wennberg PO
Type: Journal Article
Atmospheric Carbon and Transport - America (ACT-America) Data Sets: Description, Management, and Delivery
Publication Date: 2021-07-01
Type: Journal Article
Analysis of Oil and Gas Ethane and Methane Emissions in the Southcentral and Eastern United States Using Four Seasons of Continuous Aircraft Ethane Measurements
Publication Date: 2021-05-27
Type: Journal Article
Analysis of Oil and Gas Ethane and Methane Emissions in the Southcentral and Eastern United States Using Four Seasons of Continuous Aircraft Ethane Measurements
Type: Journal Article
Autonomous airborne mid-infrared spectrometer for high-precision measurements of ethane during the NASA ACT-America studies
Weibring P; Richter D; Walega JG; Fried A; DiGangi J; Halliday H; Choi Y; Baier B; Sweeney C; Miller B...
- Weibring P
- Richter D
- Walega JG
- Fried A
- DiGangi J
- Halliday H
- Choi Y
- Baier B
- Sweeney C
- Miller B
Publication Date: 2020-11-17
Type: Journal Article
Anthropogenic Secondary Organic Aerosols Contribute Substantially to Air Pollution Mortality
Nault BA; Jo DS; McDonald BC; Campuzano-Jost P; Day DA; Hu W; Schroder JC; Allan J; Blake DR; Canagaratna MR...
- Nault BA
- Jo DS
- McDonald BC
- Campuzano-Jost P
- Day DA
- Hu W
- Schroder JC
- Allan J
- Blake DR
- Canagaratna MR
Type: Journal Article
Supplementary material to "Anthropogenic Secondary Organic Aerosols Contribute Substantially to Air Pollution Mortality"
Nault BA; Jo DS; McDonald BC; Campuzano-Jost P; Day DA; Hu W; Schroder JC; Allan J; Blake DR; Canagaratna MR...
- Nault BA
- Jo DS
- McDonald BC
- Campuzano-Jost P
- Day DA
- Hu W
- Schroder JC
- Allan J
- Blake DR
- Canagaratna MR
Type: Journal Article
Autonomous Airborne Mid-IR Spectrometer for High Precision Measurements of Ethane during the NASA ACT-America Studies
Weibring P; Richter D; Walega JG; Fried A; DiGangi J; Halliday H; Choi Y; Baier B; Sweeney C; Miller B...
- Weibring P
- Richter D
- Walega JG
- Fried A
- DiGangi J
- Halliday H
- Choi Y
- Baier B
- Sweeney C
- Miller B
Type: Journal Article
Vertical Transport, Entrainment, and Scavenging Processes Affecting Trace Gases in a Modeled and Observed SEAC(4)RS Case Study
Cuchiara GC; Fried A; Barth MC; Bela M; Homeyer CR; Gaubert B; Walega J; Weibring P; Richter D; Wennberg P...
- Cuchiara GC
- Fried A
- Barth MC
- Bela M
- Homeyer CR
- Gaubert B
- Walega J
- Weibring P
- Richter D
- Wennberg P
Publication Date: 2020-06-16
Type: Journal Article
Multispecies Assessment of Factors Influencing Regional CO2 and CH4 Enhancements During the Winter 2017 ACT-America Campaign
Publication Date: 2020-01-27
Type: Journal Article
On the sources and sinks of atmospheric VOCs: an integrated analysis of recent aircraft campaigns over North America
Chen X; Millet DB; Singh HB; Wisthaler A; Apel EC; Atlas EL; Blake DR; Bourgeois I; Brown SS; Crounse JD...
- Chen X
- Millet DB
- Singh HB
- Wisthaler A
- Apel EC
- Atlas EL
- Blake DR
- Bourgeois I
- Brown SS
- Crounse JD
Publication Date: 2019-07-17
Type: Journal Article
Estimating Methane Emissions From Underground Coal and Natural Gas Production in Southwestern Pennsylvania
Barkley ZR; Lauvaux T; Davis KJ; Deng A; Fried A; Weibring P; Richter D; Walega JG; DiGangi J; Ehrman SH...
- Barkley ZR
- Lauvaux T
- Davis KJ
- Deng A
- Fried A
- Weibring P
- Richter D
- Walega JG
- DiGangi J
- Ehrman SH
Publication Date: 2019-04-28
Type: Journal Article
Supplementary material to "On the sources and sinks of atmospheric VOCs: An integrated ; analysis of recent aircraft campaigns over North America"
Chen X; Millet DB; Singh HB; Wisthaler A; Apel EC; Atlas EL; Blake DR; Brown SS; Crounse JD; de Gouw JA...
- Chen X
- Millet DB
- Singh HB
- Wisthaler A
- Apel EC
- Atlas EL
- Blake DR
- Brown SS
- Crounse JD
- de Gouw JA
Type: Journal Article
On the sources and sinks of atmospheric VOCs: An integrated ; analysis of recent aircraft campaigns over North America
Chen X; Millet DB; Singh HB; Wisthaler A; Apel EC; Atlas EL; Blake DR; Brown SS; Crounse JD; de Gouw JA...
- Chen X
- Millet DB
- Singh HB
- Wisthaler A
- Apel EC
- Atlas EL
- Blake DR
- Brown SS
- Crounse JD
- de Gouw JA
Type: Journal Article
Atmospheric Implications of Large C2-C5 Alkane Emissions From the US Oil and Gas Industry
Tzompa-Sosa ZA; Henderson BH; Keller CA; Travis K; Mahieu E; Franco B; Estes M; Helmig D; Fried A; Richter D...
- Tzompa-Sosa ZA
- Henderson BH
- Keller CA
- Travis K
- Mahieu E
- Franco B
- Estes M
- Helmig D
- Fried A
- Richter D
Publication Date: 2019-01-27
Type: Journal Article