HR: 0800h
AN: A31B-0315    [Abstracts]
TI: Phase Change Material Development and Space Qualification for Long Term IR Sensor Calibration Stability
AU: * Bingham, G E
EM: gail.bingham@sdl.usu.edu
AF: Space Dynamics Laboratory, Utah State University 1695 N Research Park Way, North Logan, UT 84341, United States
AU: Topham, T S
EM: shane.topham@sdl.usu.edu
AF: Space Dynamics Laboratory, Utah State University 1695 N Research Park Way, North Logan, UT 84341, United States
AU: Wassom, J S
EM: jeff.wassom@sdl.usu.edu
AF: Space Dynamics Laboratory, Utah State University 1695 N Research Park Way, North Logan, UT 84341, United States
AU: Burdakin, A
EM: a_burdakin@starnet.ru
AF: All-Russian Research Institute for Opto-Physical Measurements (VNIIOFI), Ozernaya ul. 46, Moscow, 19361, Russian Federation
AU: Podolsky, I
EM: igorp@imbp.ru
AF: State Scientific Center Russian Federation – Institute for Biomedical Problems (IBMP), 76A, Khoroshevkoye shosse, Moscow, 123007, Russian Federation
AB: The Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), which has the goal of providing information support for steady development of the entire world climate system and the mitigation of effects of catastrophic phenomena, provides a calibration challenge to the satellite sensor operators of the world. Because of the climate community's need for a time series of data extending over decades, the most stringent calibration requirements are for the long-term stability and accuracy of optical measurements. Specific climate record accuracy requirements have been debated and published in recent workshops in the USA*. To meet sensor accuracy requirements over the full life of a sensor and through a series of sensors, on-board calibration systems must be improved. A potential solution for IR sensors observing top of the atmosphere radiances that require a calibration target in the 273 to 310 K range is the development and space qualification of phase transition phenomenon temperature calibration devices. Including a reliable, SI traceable temperature calibration verification system on on-board calibration devices can help produce the required high-quality long-term (extending over decades) records. While gallium (302.9146 K) and water (273.15 K) are commonly used references in terrestrial applications, their temperatures are not optimal for earth viewing calibration. We have been developing melting temperature curves for the bimetallic eutectic alloys Ga-In (288.5 K), Ga-Sn (293.5 K), Ga-Zn (298.5 K), and Ga-Al (300.2 K) in small-size cells suitable for space application. Our results show that Ga and some Ga-based eutectic alloys in small cells can be used as stable, SI-traceable melting fixed points. The repeatability of melting transition temperatures of Ga, Ga-In, Ga-Sn, and Ga-Zn fixed points is presented. Plans to validate the behavior of these cells in a microgravity environment are also discussed. * Ohring, G., B. Wielicki, R. Spencer, W.J. Emery, and R. Datla, 2005: Calibration for measuring global climate change: Report of a workshop. Bull. Am. Met. Soc., 86, 1303–1313. *Achieving Satellite Instrument Calibration for Climate Change (ASIC3) Workshop, Lansdowne, VA, May 16-18, 2006
DE: 0300 ATMOSPHERIC COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE
DE: 1610 Atmosphere (0315, 0325)
DE: 1616 Climate variability (1635, 3305, 3309, 4215, 4513)
DE: 1626 Global climate models (3337, 4928)
DE: 1640 Remote sensing (1855)
SC: Atmospheric Sciences [A]
MN: 2007 Fall Meeting