A low cost instrument based on a solid state sensor for balloon-borne atmospheric O(3) profile sounding

Area of Science:

• Atmospheric chemistry and instrumentation
• Solid-state sensor technology
• Stratospheric and tropospheric research

Background:

• Accurate atmospheric ozone measurements are crucial for climate and environmental monitoring.
• Existing ozone sounding methods have limitations.
• Development of novel sensor technologies is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the design of an instrument using a solid-state tungsten oxide sensor for atmospheric ozone profile measurements.
• To evaluate the performance of this new sensor technology for ozone sounding applications.

Main Methods:

• Instrument design utilizing a solid-state tungsten oxide sensor operated at a constant temperature (530°C).
• Detailed electronic design, including sensor heater control circuitry.
• Development and implementation of straightforward calibration methods.
• Comparative test flight with a standard electrochemical ozonesonde.

Main Results:

• The instrument successfully performed atmospheric ozone profile measurements from a balloon platform.
• Quantitative agreement within 25% was achieved when compared to an electrochemical ozonesonde for most of the profile.
• Demonstrated the potential of the tungsten oxide sensor for ozone sounding.

Conclusions:

• The developed solid-state tungsten oxide sensor instrument shows significant potential for atmospheric ozone sounding.
• The electronic design and calibration methods are effective.
• Further improvements in manufacturing and analysis are anticipated to enhance performance.