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CPC

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cpc > Condensation Particle CounterInstrument Type(s) > Baseline • Evaluation • External • Guest

The condensation particle counter (CPC) measures sub-micron aerosol particle number concentration by condensing fluid onto particles and causing them to grow to sizes that are easily detectable by optical scattering. The condensing liquid is typically an alcohol (e.g., butanol) or water.

Depending on the CPC type, typical CPC instruments can count particles with sizes that range from 3 to 3000 nanometers (ultrafine CPC) or from 10 to 3000 nanometers (fine CPC). The CPC is part of the aerosol observing system (AOS).

Measurements

Aerosol concentration

Locations

  • Fixed
  • AMF1
  • AMF2
  • AMF3

Active Instrument Locations

Facility Name Instrument Start Date
Oliktok Point, Alaska; AMF3 2016-08-06
External Data (satellites and others) 2011-09-01
Houston, TX; AMF1 (main site for TRACER) 2021-04-14
Graciosa Island, Azores, Portugal 2013-10-04
Lamont, OK (Extended and Co-located with C1) 2016-11-14
Barrow, Alaska, new building (NAD83) at NOAA facility 2020-10-22

2021

Sedlar J, A Igel, and H Telg. 2021. "Processes contributing to cloud dissipation and formation events on the North Slope of Alaska." Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 21(5), 10.5194/acp-21-4149-2021.

Creamean J, G de Boer, H Telg, F Mei, D Dexheimer, M Shupe, A Solomon, and A McComiskey. 2021. "Assessing the vertical structure of Arctic aerosols using balloon-borne measurements." Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 21(3), 10.5194/acp-21-1737-2021.
Research Highlight

Kasparoglu S, Y Li, M Shiraiwa, and M Petters. 2021. "Toward closure between predicted and observed particle viscosity over a wide range of temperatures and relative humidity." Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 21(2), 10.5194/acp-21-1127-2021. ONLINE.

Geerts B, G McFarquhar, L Xue, M Jensen, P Kollias, M Ovchinnikov, M Shupe, P DeMott, Y Wang, M Tjernstrom, P Field, S Abel, T Spengler, R Neggers, S Crewell, M Wendisch, and C Lupkes. 2021. Cold-Air Outbreaks in the Marine Boundary Layer Experiment (COMBLE) Field Campaign Report. Ed. by Robert Stafford, ARM user facility. DOE/SC-ARM-21-001.

Uin J and S Smith. 2021. Southern Great Plains (SGP) Aerosol Observing System (AOS) Instrument Handbook. Ed. by Robert Stafford, ARM user facility. DOE/SC-ARM-TR-267.

2020

Uin J and S Smith. 2020. Second ARM Mobile Facility (AMF2) Aerosol Observing System (AOS) Instrument Handbook. Ed. by Robert Stafford, ARM user facility. DOE/SC-ARM-TR-264.

Uin J and S Smith. 2020. Eastern North Atlantic (ENA) Aerosol Observing System (AOS) Instrument Handbook. Ed. by Robert Stafford, ARM user facility. DOE/SC-ARM-TR-266.

Uin J and S Smith. 2020. Mobile Aerosol Observing System – Aerosols (MAOS-A) Instrument Handbook. Ed. by Robert Stafford, ARM user facility. DOE/SC-ARM-TR-263.

Uin J and S Smith. 2020. Third ARM Mobile Facility (AMF3) Aerosol Observing System (AOS) Instrument Handbook. Ed. by Robert Stafford, ARM user facility. DOE/SC-ARM-TR-265.

Logan T, X Dong, B Xi, X Zheng, Y Wang, P Wu, E Marlow, and J Maddux. 2020. "Quantifying long‐term seasonal and regional impacts of North American fire activity on continental boundary layer aerosols and cloud condensation nuclei." Earth and Space Science, 7(1 2), e2020EA001113, 10.1029/2020EA001113.

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