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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.
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
Petter Weibring operates CAMS, a sensitive DFG spectrometer, during a flight on a NCAR/NSF Gulfstream-V aircraft to study formaldehyde transported from low altitudes to the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere.
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.
Schematic of DC3 Study showing various airborne sampling platforms and ground-based instruments deployed in 2012. Click to zoom.
NASA’s DC-8 aircraft taken from the GV aircraft during the DC3 Study. The ALTAiR group deployed DFG spectrometers on both aircraft.
Left: The new CAMS spectrometer optical system, including the multipass absorption cell, shown right. Right: The cell shows spots from a trace laser depicting each multipass cell traversal.
Formaldehyde fluxes in arctic snowpack
A DFG instrument employed during the 2009 Ocean-Atmosphere-Sea Ice-Snowpack (OASIS) Study to measure formaldehyde fluxes from the arctic snowpack, using sonic anemometers on two sampling towers. Barrow, Alaska
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.
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
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
Secondary organic aerosols from anthropogenic volatile organic compounds 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
Publication Date: 2021-07-27
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
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
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
Atmospheric Implications of Large C-2-C-5 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
Impacts of physical parameterization on prediction of ethane concentrations for oil and gas emissions in WRF-Chem
Abdi-Oskouei M; Pfister G; Flocke F; Sobhani N; Saide P; Fried A; Richter D; Weibring P; Walega J; Carmichael G...
- Abdi-Oskouei M
- Pfister G
- Flocke F
- Sobhani N
- Saide P
- Fried A
- Richter D
- Weibring P
- Walega J
- Carmichael G
Publication Date: 2018-11-29
Type: Journal Article
Nitrogen dioxide and formaldehyde measurements from the GEOstationary Coastal and Air Pollution Events (GEO-CAPE) Airborne Simulator over Houston, Texas
Nowlan CR; Liu X; Janz SJ; Kowalewski MG; Chance K; Follette-Cook MB; Fried A; Abad GG; Herman JR; Judd LM...
- Nowlan CR
- Liu X
- Janz SJ
- Kowalewski MG
- Chance K
- Follette-Cook MB
- Fried A
- Abad GG
- Herman JR
- Judd LM
Publication Date: 2018-10-30
Type: Journal Article
The first evaluation of formaldehyde column observations by improved Pandora spectrometers during the KORUS-AQ field study
Spinei E; Whitehill A; Fried A; Tiefengraber M; Knepp TN; Herndon S; Herman JR; Mueller M; Abuhassan N; Cede A...
- Spinei E
- Whitehill A
- Fried A
- Tiefengraber M
- Knepp TN
- Herndon S
- Herman JR
- Mueller M
- Abuhassan N
- Cede A
Publication Date: 2018-08-31
Type: Journal Article
Sources and characteristics of summertime organic aerosol in the Colorado Front Range: perspective from measurements and WRF-Chem modeling
Bahreini R; Ahmadov R; McKeen SA; Vu KT; Dingle JH; Apel EC; Blake DR; Blake N; Campos TL; Cantrell C...
- Bahreini R
- Ahmadov R
- McKeen SA
- Vu KT
- Dingle JH
- Apel EC
- Blake DR
- Blake N
- Campos TL
- Cantrell C
Publication Date: 2018-07-14
Type: Journal Article
Revisiting global fossil fuel and biofuel emissions of ethane
Tzompa-Sosa ZA; Mahieu E; Franco B; Keller CA; Turner AJ; Helmig D; Fried A; Richter D; Weibring P; Walega J...
- Tzompa-Sosa ZA
- Mahieu E
- Franco B
- Keller CA
- Turner AJ
- Helmig D
- Fried A
- Richter D
- Weibring P
- Walega J
Publication Date: 2017-02-27
Type: Journal Article
Observing atmospheric formaldehyde (HCHO) from space: validation and intercomparison of six retrievals from four satellites (OMI, GOME2A, GOME2B, OMPS) with SEAC(4)RS aircraft observations over the southeast US
Zhu L; Jacob DJ; Kim PS; Fisher JA; Yu K; Travis KR; Mickley LJ; Yantosca RM; Sulprizio MP; De Smedt I...
- Zhu L
- Jacob DJ
- Kim PS
- Fisher JA
- Yu K
- Travis KR
- Mickley LJ
- Yantosca RM
- Sulprizio MP
- De Smedt I
Publication Date: 2016-11-01
Type: Journal Article
Impacts of the Denver Cyclone on regional air quality and aerosol formation in the Colorado Front Range during FRAPPE 2014
Vu KT; Dingle JH; Bahreini R; Reddy PJ; Apel EC; Campos TL; DiGangi JP; Diskin GS; Fried A; Herndon SC...
- Vu KT
- Dingle JH
- Bahreini R
- Reddy PJ
- Apel EC
- Campos TL
- DiGangi JP
- Diskin GS
- Fried A
- Herndon SC
Publication Date: 2016-09-27
Type: Journal Article
Aerosol optical extinction during the Front Range Air Pollution and Photochemistry Experiment (FRAPPE) 2014 summertime field campaign, Colorado, USA
Dingle JH; Vu K; Bahreini R; Apel EC; Campos TL; Flocke F; Fried A; Herndon S; Hills AJ; Hornbrook RS...
- Dingle JH
- Vu K
- Bahreini R
- Apel EC
- Campos TL
- Flocke F
- Fried A
- Herndon S
- Hills AJ
- Hornbrook RS
Publication Date: 2016-09-12
Type: Journal Article
Sources of secondary organic aerosol in the Front Range of Colorado
Publication Date: 2016-08-20
Type: Conference Proceeding
Convective transport of formaldehyde to the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere and associated scavenging in thunderstorms over the central United States during the 2012DC3 study
Publication Date: 2016-06-27
Type: Journal Article
Impacts of various pollution sources on aerosol formation and optical extinction in the Front Range of Colorado
Publication Date: 2015-08-16
Type: Conference Proceeding
THE DEEP CONVECTIVE CLOUDS AND CHEMISTRY (DC3) FIELD CAMPAIGN
Barth MC; Cantrell CA; Brune WH; Rutledge SA; Crawford JH; Huntrieser H; Carey LD; MacGorman D; Weisman M; Pickering KE...
- Barth MC
- Cantrell CA
- Brune WH
- Rutledge SA
- Crawford JH
- Huntrieser H
- Carey LD
- MacGorman D
- Weisman M
- Pickering KE
Publication Date: 2015-08-01
Type: Journal Article