A RIGID FAST-RESPONSE THERMOMETER FOR ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH

A fast-response temperature sensor for measuring atmospheric temperature was constructed and is described. The sensor was based on the thermocouple principle, connected to a thermocouple conditioner (AD595): the cold junction was compensated via an electrical reference and the signal amplified. This reference compensation was built into the sensor itself. The time constant of the thermocouple was decreased by rolling out a circular wire. The advantage of this technique was that the original mechanical strength was retained. The disadvantage was that the excess temperature could increase due to a higher interception of global irradiation. It appeared that by reducing the time constant by a factor of five, the radiation error could be increased by a factor of two, depending on the orientation of the sensor head and the angle of attack of the incoming direct radiation beam. The mean temperatures measured by the sensor were compared with those measured by an accurately calibrated Pt 100 resistance thermometer. The agreement between both sensors for outdoor measurements gave a standard error of estimate of 0.20 K. The fast outdoor temperature excursions around the running mean, measured by the sensor, were compared with those measured by a fast-response sonic thermometer. The agreement of the temperature variances between both sensors was better than 2% (standard error of estimate 0.05 K) and was dependent on measuring height and mean windspeed. The 3 dB point of the instrument was about 2 Hz.