PPD-2K instrument performance upgrade

The PPD-2K is a research instrument designed and developed in 2011 by the Particle Instruments Research Group in PAM for Dr. Martin Schnaiter, a leading scientist at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research, Germany. The instrument is designed to allow investigation of atmospheric particles such as ice crystals, droplets, solid aerosol, etc., by capturing high resolution 2D light-scattering patterns from individual particles carried in a sample airflow. The data can then be used to help understand the formation and lifetimes of these particles in atmospheric cloud and how they can impact cloud radiative properties, precipitation, etc., with ultimate impact on weather patterns and climate change.
The present contract is to upgrade the PPD-2K to improve optical performance and ensure continued successful deployment in cloud studies.