Improved electronic gate technique, for particle counting and sizing in liquids

Particle counting and measurements of particle size distributions in liquids can be based on pulse height analysis of signals obtained from a changing gate impedance, upon particle transition. Signal-to-noise ratio is markedly improved, making use of a four-electrode detector. An instrumentation amplifier with a high-pass filter is used as a preamplifier. Cylindrical electrodes and a coaxial aperture location result in a decreased detector capacitance, lowering the signal detection level and contributing to improved pulse shape. Volume sampling is flexible and accurate, making use of a stepping motor actuated digital sampling system. A newly developed baseline restorer, combined with a log-antilog amplifier circuit, allows for linearisation of the pulse height/particle size relationship.