Measuring Atmospheric And Aerosol Properties With A Multi-Wavelength Polarimeter
Document ID: 336
Senior Honors Thesis
1 Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, U.S.A
Abstract
Ozone depletion and the greenhouse effect have been two environrnental concems in the scientific community, and recently in the public community as weil. A Multi-wavelength Polarimeter has been constructed to measure incorning ultraviolet solar radiation intensity and atmospheric aerosol content in hopes of collecting data that would help researchers gain insight into the two phenomena. By tracking the sun and measuring the solar radiation, the Multiwave length Polarimeter can measure the Earth's atmospheric properties, by quantifying UV radiation intensity and aerosol content. The device is able to accomplish this task by measuring solar radiation flux in the UV spectrum and the level of depolarization due to multiple scattering effects in the atmosphere. The intensities of dangerous UV A (321 mn to 400 mn) and UVB (280 nm to 320 mn) radiation levels reaching the Earth's surface are recorded and stored for longterm monitoring of the ultraviolet radiation flux hazard penetrating through the Earth's atmosphere to the surface. Also, the recording of Ievels of depolarized sunlight due to optical scattering in the atmosphere will provide infonnation on the role of aerosols in determining the radiation transfer through the atmosphere. An instrument has been prepared and tested which will begin to gather a long tenn data base on ultraviolet radiation reaching the Earth's surface.
| Citation: | J. Wu, "Measuring Atmospheric And Aerosol Properties With A Multi-Wavelength Polarimeter", The Pennsylvania State University, Senior Honors Thesis, August 1994, 86 pages |