- The scientific activities of the TROLAS group (Tropospheric Radical Observations and Laser Absorption Spectroscopy) of the Institute of Environmental Physics of the University of Bremen (IUP-UB) focus on the investigation of different aspects of the atmospheric chemistry which are closely related to the photochemistry and the mechanisms of free radical reactions involved in the formation and depletion of O3 in the troposphere. This comprises two main research fields:
- Understanding of the role of peroxy radicals in the troposphere. In that context, the accurate measurement of ambient peroxy radicals and the modeling of the atmospheric chemistry are tasks of essential importance. With this objective, the Peroxy Radical Chemical Amplification (PeRCA) technique has been characterised and gradually optimised for the measurement of the total sum of peroxy radicals in different environments and platforms (ground based, research vessels and aircrafts). Data of atmospheric interest are regularly gathered by participating in various national and international experimental campaigns.
- Spectroscopic characterization of different molecules of atmospheric relevance by using spectroscopic techniques based on high finesse optical cavities like Cavity Ring Down (CRD) and Cavity Enhanced Absorption (CEA) Spectroscopy.