Tutorial 4:
Aerosol light-scattering and absorption: fundamentals and measurement techniques
Gloria Titos – University of Granada, Spain
Abstract: This tutorial will provide the basic knowledge on aerosol-light interactions in the atmosphere, which are crucial for understanding climate and regional air quality. We will provide a broad overview of the key parameters that govern aerosol-light interactions, including the theories that allow predictions of optical behaviour from aerosol microphysical properties. Key processes covered include light scattering and absorption, aerosol optical cross sections, angular scattering and how these depend on the aerosol microphysical properties (particle size, composition and shape) and relative humidity. A broad overview of the main in-situ techniques used to measure aerosol optical properties will also be presented.
Short bio: Gloria Titos is Assistant Professor at the Department of Applied Physics of the University of Granada and the Andalusian Institute for Earth System Research (IISTA). Her research covers the study of aerosol optical properties, how these optical properties change with relative humidity, and the ability of aerosol particles to activate as cloud droplets. As an experimentalist, she has a broad experience with different instrumentation (mainly in-situ), and has participated in several national and international field campaigns.
