Progress on the R4AsH triple frequency radar laboratory experiments for characterization of volcanic ash

David G. Macfarlane; Duncan A. Robertson; Antonio Capponi

doi:10.1117/12.2618751

3 June 2022 Progress on the R4AsH triple frequency radar laboratory experiments for characterization of volcanic ash

David G. Macfarlane, Duncan A. Robertson, Antonio Capponi

Proceedings Volume 12111, Passive and Active Millimeter-Wave Imaging XXV; 1211103 (2022) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2618751
Event: SPIE Defense + Commercial Sensing, 2022, Orlando, Florida, United States

Abstract

Volcanic plumes pose a global risk to aviation, due to fine ash that can be dispersed over a global scale. Hazard mitigation relies on forecasts of plume evolution over time. However, the main sources of uncertainty in plume dispersion modelling remain the accurate quantification of the eruption source parameters, known as ‘source term’, describing the plume characteristics and informing the dispersion models. These parameters include particle size distribution (PSD) and concentrations of ash particles injected into the atmosphere. Estimation of the source term of eruptive plumes by reflectivity measurements using a single frequency radar depends upon assumption of a how PSD and concentrations are combined. The chosen assumptions are however ambiguous as, for example, a high concentration of smaller particles can produce the same reflectivity as that of a low concentration of larger particles. R4AsH is a triple frequency laboratory FMCW radar that simultaneously measures a controlled column of airborne ash at three frequencies: 10, 35 and 94 GHz. Coincident optical measurement of the PSD within the column are also taken to inform analysis. The aim of the R4AsH experiment is to develop a triple-frequency inversion algorithm to enable simultaneous retrieval of the ash PSD and particle concentration by combining radar reflectivity data across the Rayleigh – Mie scattering regime. Following on from our previously reported system design, we will present a review of the radar system performance and preliminary testing for the R4AsH experiments scheduled for the spring/summer of 2022.

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David G. Macfarlane, Duncan A. Robertson, and Antonio Capponi "Progress on the R4AsH triple frequency radar laboratory experiments for characterization of volcanic ash", Proc. SPIE 12111, Passive and Active Millimeter-Wave Imaging XXV, 1211103 (3 June 2022); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2618751

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KEYWORDS

Radar

Particles

Reflectivity

Amplifiers

Algorithm development

Upconversion

Atmospheric particles

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