The Aircraft Laser Infrared Absorption Spectrometer (ALIAS) measures total water, total water isotopes, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide isotope ratios.

ALIAS easily adapts to changing mission priorities and can be configured to measure HCl, CH4, SO2, and N2O by simply replacing a semiconductor laser.

These measurements contribute to Atmospheric Composition Focus Area research by providing key data on how convective processes affect stratospheric composition, the development of cirrus particles and their affect on Earth's radiative balance, and health of the ozone layer through measurement of chlorine partitioning.

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Instrument specifics

• Status: RETIRED
• Type: Laser absorption, spectrometer
• Provides real-time measurements of carbon dioxide isotope ratios which are clear identifiers of atmospheric transport (18O/17O/16O for stratospheric intrusion, 13C/12C for anthropogenic signals).

Platform(s)

• Balloon
• ER-2
• WB-57

Measurements

N2O, H2O isotopes, H2O, CO, CH4, CO2 isotopes, HC

Campaigns flown

• SEAC4RS

Contact

Lance Christensen

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