A Calibration of the NCAR Acoustical Ice Nucleus Counter

Abstract

The NCAR acoustical ice nucleus counter was calibrated against a Bigg-Warner Weather Bureau type chamber modified as a mixing chamber. The mixing chamber was in turn calibrated against the CSU-NSF isothermal diffusion cloud chamber. This work was carried out using a 300-liter aluminized mylar bag into which known samples of silver iodide nuclei were introduced. Nuclei were transferred from the bag to the NCAR counter in a carrier gas, at a flow rate of 10 liters min?1. It was found that the NCAR counter measured from 16?52% of the count given by the mixing chamber. An NCAR unit was modified with a velvet liner to test the feasibility of eliminating the glycol system, and measurements were made as described above. The modified unit did not count reliably.