Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences

Kyung-Eun Min
CIRES Visiting Fellow
2012-2013

Post-doc
Ph.D., University of California at Berkeley

Project: Development of a broadband cavity enhanced spectroscopy (BBCES) instrument to characterize wavelength-dependent optical properties of brown carbon

Kyung-Eun Min is working with Fred Fehsenfeld, Steve Brown, and Rebecca Washenfelder. She is developing an instrument for measuring how an aerosol, a particle suspended in the atmosphere, scatters and absorbs light, specifically short-wavelength light. Light extinction (meaning scattering and absorption of light) by atmospheric aerosols represents the single largest uncertainty in researchers’ understanding of Earth’s radiation balance. And recent work has shown that some organic aerosols, so-called “brown carbon,” may absorb ultraviolet light, which was previously unknown. “This finding adds additional uncertainty to estimates of aerosol radiative forcing as brown carbon’s optical properties are poorly constrained,” Min says. “Through this project, I’m expecting to improve our understanding of the role of brown carbon aerosols in Earth’s radiation budget.”

One thing Min loves about her research is the continual personal change it fosters. “I meet a different me every day,” Min said. “Every morning, I face a little different ‘myself’ in the mirror who has different ideas, thoughts, and knowledge than yesterday.” After six years in California, Min is looking forward to having four seasons again. “No more boring weather!” she says. “I'm also excited to explore the Rocky Mountains during the summertime and skiing during wintertime.”

Sponsor: Fred Fehsenfeld