Measurement of an isosbestic point in the Raman spectrum of liquid water by use of a backscattering geometry

A simple approach for determination of the phase transition temperature using infrared temperature-induced isosbestic points

The appearance and formation of an isosbestic point in the temperature-dependent IR spectra can be used to reveal a phase transition at a certain temperature. This conclusion was made by a thorough investigation of the IR (transmission and ATR) spectra of methylammonium iodide (MAI) and formamidinium iodide (FAI) recorded in a wide temperature range starting from -170 to +200 °C. By investigating the isosbestic points, it was found that MAI undergoes two phase transitions at -110 and +146 °C. The results obtained for FAI also showed two phase transitions at 73 and 115 °C. Furthermore, it was found that the shift of certain bands that are provoked by the phase change could be used to calculate the transition temperature. So far, according to the literature data, no attempts have been made to reveal the exact temperature of phase transitions using IR spectroscopic techniques.

Optical remote sensing of water temperature using Raman spectroscopy

A detailed investigation into the use of Raman spectroscopy for determining water temperature is presented. The temperature dependence of unpolarized Raman spectra is evaluated numerically, and methods based on linear regression are used to determine the accuracy with which temperature can be obtained from Raman spectra. These methods were also used to inform the design and predict the performance of a two-channel Raman spectrometer, which can predict the temperature of mains supply water to an accuracy of ± 0.5 °C.

Spectrally resolved Raman lidar measurements of gaseous and liquid water in the atmosphere

A spectrally resolved Raman lidar based on a tripled Nd:YAG laser is built for measuring gaseous and liquid water in the atmosphere. A double-grating polychromator with a reciprocal linear dispersion of ~0.237 nm mm(-1) is designed to achieve the wavelength separation and the suppression of elastic backscatter. A 32-channel linear-array photomultiplier tube is employed to sample atmospheric Raman water spectrum between 401.65 and 408.99 nm. The lidar-observed Raman water spectrum in the very clear atmosphere is nearly invariable in shape. It is dominated by water vapor, and can serve as background reference for Raman lidar identification of the phase state of atmospheric water under various weather conditions. The lidar has measured also the Raman water spectrum of an aerosol/liquid water layer. The spectrum showed a moderate increase of the signal on both sides of the Q-branch of water vapor. Noting that under clear weather conditions the Raman water spectrum intensity stays at a very low level in the 401.6-404.7 nm range, the Raman water signal in this portion can be used to estimate the liquid water content in the layer.

Chemical input and I-V output: stepwise chemical information processing in dye-sensitized solar cells

As a complex system, a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC) exhibits emergent photovoltaics not obvious from the properties of the individual components. The chemical input of 4-tert-butylpyridine (TBP) into DSC improves the open circuit voltage (V(oc)) and reduces the short circuit current (I(sc)) in I-V output through multiple interactions with the components, yet it has been difficult to distinguish the multiple interactions and correlate the interactions with the influences on I-V output due to the complexity of the system. To deal with the multiple interactions, we have adapted a conceptual framework and methodology from coordination chemistry. First, we titrated the photovoltaic interface and electrolyte with TBP to identify the stepwise chemical interaction processes. An isopotential point observed in I-V output indicates that most of the inputted chemicals interact with the electrolyte. Cyclic voltammetric titration of the electrolyte demonstrates asymmetric redox peaks and two different isopotential points, indicating that the two-step coordination-decoordination process inhibits the reduction current of the electrolyte. Second, we set an interaction model bridging the hierarchical gaps between the multiple interactions and the I-V output to address the influences on outputs from the amount of the inputs. From the viewpoint of the interaction model and interactions observed, we are able to comprehend the processes of the complex system and suggest a direction to improve V(oc) without sacrificing I(sc) in DSCs. We conclude that the conceptual framework and methodology adapted from coordination chemistry is beneficial to enhance the emergent outputs of complex systems.

Raman lidar observations of cloud liquid water

We report the design and the performances of a Raman lidar for long-term monitoring of tropospheric aerosol backscattering and extinction coefficients, water vapor mixing ratio, and cloud liquid water. We focus on the system's capabilities of detecting Raman backscattering from cloud liquid water. After describing the system components, along with the current limitations and options for improvement, we report examples of observations in the case of low-level cumulus clouds. The measurements of the cloud liquid water content, as well as the estimations of the cloud droplet effective radii and number densities, obtained by combining the extinction coefficient and cloud water content within the clouds, are critically discussed.

Examination of the traditional Raman lidar technique. I. Evaluating the temperature-dependent lidar equations

The essential information required for the analysis of Raman lidar water vapor and aerosol data acquired by use of a single laser wavelength is compiled here and in a companion paper [Appl. Opt. 42, 2593 (2003)]. Various details concerning the evaluation of the lidar equations when Raman scattering is measured are covered. These details include the influence of the temperature dependence of both pure rotational and vibrational-rotational Raman scattering on the lidar profile. The full temperature dependence of the Rayleigh-Mie and Raman lidar equations are evaluated by use of a new form of the lidar equation where all the temperature dependence is carried in a single term. The results indicate that, for the range of temperatures encountered in the troposphere, the magnitude of the temperature-dependent effect can reach 10% or more for narrowband Raman water-vapor measurements. Also, the calculation of atmospheric transmission, including the effects of depolarization, is examined carefully. Various formulations of Rayleigh cross-section determination commonly used in the lidar field are compared and reveal differences of as much as 5% among the formulations. The influence of multiple scattering on the measurement of aerosol extinction with the Raman lidar technique is considered, as are several photon pulse pileup-correction techniques.