Diode Laser Water Vapor Sensor for Weather Balloons--Southwest Sciences, Inc., 1570 Pacheco Street, Suite E-11, Santa Fe, NM 87505-3937; (505) 984-1322
Dr. Mark Paige, Principal Investigator
Dr. Alan C. Stanton, Business Official
DOE Grant No. DE-FG03-98ER82671
Amount: $75,000

Current water vapor sensors (hygristors and thin film capacitive sensors) used on weather balloons do not provide adequate sensitivity, time response, and reliability which are needed for this application. New measurement techniques are being sought that offer the possibility of improving weather balloon water sensing without being too costly. This project will develop an inexpensive diode laser sensor for water vapor that would meet all desired specifications at a cost comparable to that of capacitive sensors. In Phase I, low cost electronics systems for the diode laser sensors will be developed and evaluated. In addition, techniques will be sought to reduce the power consumption for laser temperature regulation. Testing will be performed in an environmental chamber that simulates the atmospheric conditions encountered during a balloon ascent.

Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: Applications include environmental sensing, process stream monitoring for the chemical and semiconductor industries, and contrail detection.