Introduction to Atmospheric Nucleation

Introduction to Atmospheric Nucleation: Theory, Modeling, and Instrumentation introduces readers to the most essential and cutting-edge advancements in the field of atmospheric aerosol formation. Rapid advancements and growing specialization in the field make it challenging to gain a comprehensive understanding of the field. This book aims to provide a single resource, covering both the recent developments in theory, experimental and atmospheric computational modeling and simulation methodologies.

The book builds solid connections between classical theoretical descriptions, molecular simulations and modeling, as well as laboratory techniques related to atmospheric particle formation. Part I outlines the theoretical basis of nucleation (including classical nucleation theory) and reviews the methods used in atmospheric aerosol nucleation research, giving readers a thorough understanding of the phenomena and research approaches. Part II covers cutting-edge theoretical and computational methodologies, introducing potential energy surface sampling and thermodynamic calculations of molecular clusters using quantum chemistry. Part III discusses experimental research methods, expounding the most critical technical progress in laboratory measurement through the principles and measurement analysis results of chemical ionization mass spectrometers and particle spectrometers. Part IV focuses on atmospheric modelling, offering valuable knowledge and insights into nucleation parameterizations, aerosol dynamics, and the broader climate and environment effects of aerosol nucleation.

The book concludes by discussing real-world nucleation events across diverse environments, such as pristine Arctic and highly polluted urban settings, to illustrate the variability and complexities of atmospheric nucleation. Introduction to Atmospheric Nucleation provides an excellent introductory resource for graduate students and junior researchers in atmospheric chemistry and physics. While the primary focus of this book is on atmospherically relevant molecular clusters and their formation in the gas phase, it will also be of relevance to those exploring physicochemical theories and experimental research methods at the nanoscale such as in (nano)materials science, analytical chemistry involving high-resolution mass spectrometry analysis, and computational chemistry and physics.