A state-of-the-art chamber facility is described for investigation of atmos
pheric aerosol chemistry. Dual 28 m(3) FEP Teflon film chambers are used to
simulate atmospheric conditions in which aerosol formation may occur. This
facility provides the flexibility to investigate dark, single oxidant reac
tions as well as full photochemical simulations. This pa per discusses the
environmental control implemented as well as the gas-phase and aerosol-phas
e instrumentation used to monitor atmospheric aerosol formation and growth,
Physical processes occurring in the chamber and procedures for estimating
secondary organic aerosol formation during reaction are described. Aerosol
formation and evolution protocols at varying relative humidity conditions a
re presented.