Overview

Introducing PATMO

This page introduces PATMO as a one-dimensional atmospheric photochemistry model. It focuses on what the model is, how it is organized, and how it can be used in a basic research workflow.

The full sequence is planned as seven lectures, all organized around the same scientific thread: the modern sulfur cycle. Using one stable case keeps the focus on understanding PATMO itself instead of switching between unrelated examples.

Open Documentation Start Lecture 1 Back to Work

Core Idea

PATMO is a one-dimensional atmospheric photochemistry model that can be used for controlled computational experiments.

On this page and throughout the lectures, the modern sulfur cycle is used as the running case study for explaining how the model is organized, run, and interpreted.

PATMO Architecture At A Glance

One Workflow Picture

If you want one structural view before moving into the lectures, the figure below shows the full path from case inputs to generated code, runtime integration, and scientific outputs. It is the static web version of the architecture flowchart summarized from the local PATMO analysis report.

Architecture overview of PATMO, from case inputs to runtime outputs.
Figure. Architecture overview of PATMO, from case inputs to runtime outputs.

For teaching purposes, the key idea is that PATMO is not only a Fortran runtime. It is a two-stage system: Python first prepares and generates case-specific code, and the compiled Fortran side then solves the 1D atmospheric problem.

Reference

Documentation

PATMO Documentation

A traditional reference page based on the current repository, covering workflow, inputs, generated code, runtime behavior, outputs, bundled cases, and repository status notes.

Available now

Lecture Roadmap

Lecture 1

Understanding PATMO

The opening lecture introduces what kind of model PATMO is, what it can and cannot do, and why the course uses the modern sulfur cycle as the main example.

Available now

Lecture 2

The Overall Architecture of PATMO

A structural view of the model so the major pieces are clear before moving into the files.

Coming soon

Lecture 3

The Input File System of PATMO

A guided walk through the major input files and how they define a case in a readable, operational way.

Coming soon

Lecture 4

Writing the Modern Sulfur Cycle into PATMO

The first deep connection between the scientific case and the model inputs that encode it.

Coming soon

Lecture 5

Runtime Workflow and Outputs

What happens when the model runs, where the outputs go, and how to read the resulting files.

Coming soon

Lecture 6

Hands-On Case Run

A practical run of the prepared modern sulfur cycle case to connect setup and output.

Coming soon

Lecture 7

First Sensitivity Experiment

A simple research-style exercise: modify one factor, rerun the case, and compare the result to a baseline.

Coming soon