A5009274507- Particle physics theoretical and experimental studies
- Quantum Chromodynamics and Particle Interactions
- High-Energy Particle Collisions Research
- Atmospheric chemistry and aerosols
- Atmospheric Ozone and Climate
- Atmospheric aerosols and clouds
- Dark Matter and Cosmic Phenomena
- Air Quality and Health Impacts
- Neutrino Physics Research
- Cosmology and Gravitation Theories
- Solar and Space Plasma Dynamics
- Particle Detector Development and Performance
- Atmospheric and Environmental Gas Dynamics
- Black Holes and Theoretical Physics
- Air Quality Monitoring and Forecasting
- Computational Physics and Python Applications
- Radiation Detection and Scintillator Technologies
- Atomic and Subatomic Physics Research
- nanoparticles nucleation surface interactions
- Medical Imaging Techniques and Applications
- Astrophysics and Cosmic Phenomena
- Nuclear physics research studies
- Particle Accelerators and Free-Electron Lasers
- Mass Spectrometry Techniques and Applications
- Spectroscopy and Laser Applications
European Organization for Nuclear Research
2016-2025
Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research
2025
Goethe University Frankfurt
2015-2024
Kyungpook National University
2006
Tata Institute of Fundamental Research
1998-2005
Hungarian Academy of Sciences
2003-2004
University College Dublin
2004
University of Amsterdam
2000
National Institute for Subatomic Physics
2000
University of Florence
1997
Nucleation of aerosol particles from trace atmospheric vapours is thought to provide up half global cloud condensation nuclei. Aerosols can cause a net cooling climate by scattering sunlight and leading smaller but more numerous droplets, which makes clouds brighter extends their lifetimes. Atmospheric aerosols derived human activities are have compensated for large fraction the warming caused greenhouse gases. However, despite its importance climate, nucleation poorly understood. Recently,...
Abstract About half of present-day cloud condensation nuclei originate from atmospheric nucleation, frequently appearing as a burst new particles near midday 1 . Atmospheric observations show that the growth rate often accelerates when diameter is between one and ten nanometres 2,3 In this critical size range, are most likely to be lost by coagulation with pre-existing 4 , thereby failing form typically 50 100 across. Sulfuric acid vapour involved in nucleation but too scarce explain...
Abstract Atmospheric aerosols and their effect on clouds are thought to be important for anthropogenic radiative forcing of the climate, yet remain poorly understood 1 . Globally, around half cloud condensation nuclei originate from nucleation atmospheric vapours 2 It is that sulfuric acid essential initiate most particle formation in atmosphere 3,4 , ions have a relatively minor role 5 Some laboratory studies, however, reported organic without intentional addition acid, although...
Atmospheric new-particle formation affects climate and is one of the least understood atmospheric aerosol processes. The complexity variability atmosphere has hindered elucidation fundamental mechanism from gaseous precursors. We show, in experiments performed with CLOUD (Cosmics Leaving Outdoor Droplets) chamber at CERN, that sulfuric acid oxidized organic vapors concentrations reproduce particle nucleation rates observed lower atmosphere. reveal a involving clusters containing molecules...
It has been proposed that Earth's climate could be affected by changes in cloudiness caused variations the intensity of galactic cosmic rays atmosphere. This proposal stems from an observed correlation between ray and average cloud cover over course one solar cycle. Some scientists question reliability observations, whereas others, who accept them as reliable, suggest may other physical phenomena with decadal periods or a response to volcanic activity El Niño. Nevertheless, observation...
Observations made in the CLOUD chamber at CERN illuminate atmospheric particle formation.
Significance The formation of nanoparticles by condensable vapors in the atmosphere influences radiative forcing and therefore climate. We explored detailed mechanism particle formation, particular role oxidized organic molecules that arise from oxidation monoterpenes, a class volatile compounds emitted plants. mimicked atmospheric conditions well-controlled laboratory setup found these organics form initial clusters directly with single sulfuric acid molecules. then grow further addition...
Abstract New particle formation has been estimated to produce around half of cloud‐forming particles in the present‐day atmosphere, via gas‐to‐particle conversion. Here we assess importance new (NPF) for both and preindustrial atmospheres. We use a global aerosol model with parametrizations NPF from previously published CLOUD chamber experiments involving sulfuric acid, ammonia, organic molecules, ions. find that produces 67% cloud condensation nuclei at 0.2% supersaturation (CCN0.2%) level...
For atmospheric sulfuric acid (SA) concentrations the presence of dimethylamine (DMA) at mixing ratios several parts per trillion by volume can explain observed boundary layer new particle formation rates. However, concentration and molecular composition neutral (uncharged) clusters have not been reported so far due to lack suitable instrumentation. Here we report on experiments from Cosmics Leaving Outdoor Droplets chamber European Organization for Nuclear Research revealing particles...
Atmospheric aerosol formation from biogenic vapors is strongly affected by air pollutants, like NO x , SO 2 and NH 3 .
A list of authors and their affiliations appears at the end paper New-particle formation is a major contributor to urban smog1,2, but how it occurs in cities often puzzling3. If growth rates particles are similar those found cleaner environments (1-10 nanometres per hour), then existing understanding suggests that new should be rapidly scavenged by high concentration pre-existing particles. Here we show, through experiments performed under atmospheric conditions CLOUD chamber CERN, below...
Significance Aerosol particles can form and grow by gas-to-particle conversion eventually act as seeds for cloud droplets, influencing global climate. Volatile organic compounds emitted from plants are oxidized in the atmosphere, resulting products drive particle growth. We measure growth biogenic vapors with a well-controlled laboratory setup over wide range of tropospheric temperatures. While higher temperatures lead to increased reaction rates concentrations highly molecules, lower allow...
Significance A mechanism for the formation of atmospheric aerosols via gas to particle conversion highly oxidized organic molecules is found be dominant aerosol process in preindustrial boundary layer over land. The inclusion this a global model raises baseline concentrations and could lead reduction 27% estimates anthropogenic radiative forcing.
Antarctica is producing atmospheric aerosol of its own from trace gases emitted by the coastal flora and fauna.
Abstract We report comprehensive, demonstrably contaminant‐free measurements of binary particle formation rates by sulfuric acid and water for neutral ion‐induced pathways conducted in the European Organization Nuclear Research Cosmics Leaving Outdoor Droplets chamber. The recently developed Atmospheric Pressure interface‐time flight‐mass spectrometer was used to detect contaminants charged clusters identify runs free any contaminants. Four parameters were varied cover ambient conditions:...
Abstract. A recent CLOUD (Cosmics Leaving OUtdoor Droplets) chamber study showed that sulfuric acid and dimethylamine produce new aerosols very efficiently yield particle formation rates are compatible with boundary layer observations. These previously published (NPF) reanalyzed in the present an advanced method. The results show NPF at 1.7 nm more than a factor of 10 faster due to earlier approximations correcting measurements made larger detection threshold. revised agree almost perfectly...
Abstract The growth of freshly formed aerosol particles can be the bottleneck in their survival to cloud condensation nuclei. It is therefore crucial understand how grow atmosphere. Insufficient experimental data has impeded a profound understanding nano-particle under atmospheric conditions. Here we study CLOUD (Cosmics Leaving OUtdoors Droplets) chamber, starting from formation molecular clusters. We present measured rates at sub-3 nm sizes with different atmospherically relevant...
To better understand the role of aromatic hydrocarbons in new-particle formation, we measured particle-phase abundance and volatility oxidation products following reaction with OH radicals. For this used thermal desorption an iodide-adduct Time-of-Flight Chemical-Ionization Mass Spectrometer equipped a Filter Inlet for Gases AEROsols (FIGAERO-ToF-CIMS). The measurements confirm that toluene naphthalene can contribute to initial growth newly formed particles. Toluene-derived (C7) have similar...
Abstract Binary nucleation of sulfuric acid and water as well ternary involving ammonia are thought to be the dominant processes responsible for new particle formation (NPF) in cold temperatures middle upper troposphere. Ions also important these regions. However, global models presently lack experimentally measured NPF rates under controlled laboratory conditions so at present must rely on theoretical or empirical parameterizations. Here with data obtained European Organization Nuclear...
Abstract. Highly oxygenated organic molecules (HOMs) contribute substantially to the formation and growth of atmospheric aerosol particles, which affect air quality, human health Earth's climate. HOMs are formed by rapid, gas-phase autoxidation volatile compounds (VOCs) such as α-pinene, most abundant monoterpene in atmosphere. Due their abundance low volatility, can play an important role new-particle (NPF) early aerosols, even without any further assistance other low-volatility sulfuric...
Abstract. The formation of particles from precursor vapors is an important source atmospheric aerosol. Research at the Cosmics Leaving OUtdoor Droplets (CLOUD) facility CERN tries to elucidate which are responsible for this new-particle formation, and how in detail it proceeds. Initial measurement campaigns CLOUD stainless-steel aerosol chamber focused on investigating particle ammonia (NH3) sulfuric acid (H2SO4). Experiments were conducted presence water, ozone sulfur dioxide. Contaminant...
NO x is important for particle growth as it can participate in HOM formation and alter the volatility distribution.
Abstract. In the present-day atmosphere, sulfuric acid is most important vapour for aerosol particle formation and initial growth. However, growth rates of nanoparticles (<10 nm) from remain poorly measured. Therefore, effect stabilizing bases, contribution ions impact attractive forces on molecular collisions are under debate. Here, we present precise rate measurements uncharged particles 1.8 to 10 nm, performed atmospheric conditions in CERN (European Organization Nuclear Research)...