The Broadband Light Analyzer of Complex Aerosol - Characterization and Applications

The Broadband Light Analyzer of Complex Aerosol (BLAnCA) is an innovative instrument for the measurement of the optical properties of absorption of atmospheric aerosol. It works by illuminating an aerosol sample with a beam of white light, and measuring the wavelength resolved scattering profile with a fiber-optic spectrometer. In this PhD thesis the instrument is described in detail, as well as the characterization and validation measurements that were carried out. Additionally, the application of the instrument to the study of several aerosol sample is presented, highlighting the innovative character of the measurements conducted with BLAnCA. Lastly, a software toolkit for the analysis of optical absorption measurement is presented, with which the different types and sources of aerosol can be identified.