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HR-ToF-AMS
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Time series of the aerosol chemical composition and mass fraction measured by AMS at Melpitz
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ACSM at Melpitz
Aerosol mass spectrometry techniques
Two different aerosol mass spectrometers are used to measure the aerosol particle chemical composition (Organics, nitrate, sulfate, ammonium and non-sea salt chloride). The High Resolution Time of Flight Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (HR-ToF-AMS, Aerodyne Inc, USA) is deployed during specific intense measurements periods while the Aerosol Chemical Speciation Monitoring (ACSM, Aerodyne Inc, USA) is used for long time monitoring and continuously measured since June 2012. While both instruments are based on a similar concept, there are some major differences. Therefore, they will be described separately.
HR-ToF-AMS
By crossing the aerodynamic lenses, aerosols are sampled and focused into a narrow beam. Particles are transmitted into the high vacuum of the instrument and accelerated to a velocity inversely related to their aerodynamic diameter. Particle beam is then impacted on a vaporizer (a resistivity-heated surface at 600°C) and flashed vaporized. The resulting vapors are ionized by electron impact (EI, 70eV) and detected by a High Resolution Time of Flight mass spectrometer (HR-ToF). Before reaching the vaporizer, the aerosol beam is controlled by a spinning wheel (approx. 150Hz) equipped by two slits. This wheel allows two alternative detection modes: by blocking/unblocking the particle beam, the AMS measures the bulk chemical composition of the particle (MS-mode) and when particle beam is controlled by the slits of the wheel, the AMS provides the particle size resolution (PTOF-mode). Because soot, crustal material and sea salt cannot be detected and the transmission efficiency of the aerodynamic lenses; the AMS is commonly considered to provide non-refractory PM1 aerosol chemical composition. The instrument is typically working at a 5 min time resolution.
ACSM
Although, the ACSM is based on a similar approach than the HR-ToF-AMS, the main differences are the absence of size distribution information and a simple unit mass resolution quadrupole mass spectrometer. In absence of rotating wheel, the chemical composition of particles is obtained by alternatively measuring ambient air and particle-free air. In addition, internal naphthalene standard located inside the chamber is used for monitoring the performance of the instrument over long time period. The ACSM is measuring with a 30 min time resolution.
