Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 7, 2026
09:33
Asymmetrical Flow Field-Flow Fractionation for Sizing of Gold Nanoparticles in Suspension
Published on: September 11, 2020
Fast in situ sizing technique for single levitated liquid aerosols
B Steiner1, B Berge, R Gausmann
1Fachbereich Physik, Universität Osnabrück, Barbarastrasse 7, D-49069 Osnabrück, Germany.
Applied Optics
|February 29, 2008
Summary
A novel technique rapidly measures single aerosol particle size in situ using polarized light scattering. This method accurately sizes sodium chloride particles across varying humidity levels.
Area of Science:
- Atmospheric Science
- Physical Chemistry
- Optical Physics
Background:
- Accurate sizing of airborne particles is crucial for understanding atmospheric processes and aerosol-particle interactions.
- Existing in situ sizing methods can be time-consuming or lack precision for individual particles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a rapid in situ technique for determining the size of single levitated aerosol particles.
- To assess the technique's reliability using a known test sphere and its applicability to real-world atmospheric aerosols.
Main Methods:
- Utilized vertically polarized Mie scattering patterns from single liquid aerosols.
- Employed fast Fourier transforms (FFT) for pattern analysis.
- Levitated particles using a Paul-trap-type electrodynamic balance for precise control.
Main Results:
- The technique demonstrated reliable sizing for a test sphere with known physical properties.
- Successfully applied to aqueous sodium chloride aerosol particles, accurately tracking size changes with humidity variations.
- Results showed good agreement with established full Mie theory calculations.
Conclusions:
- The developed fast Fourier-transformed Mie scattering technique provides an accurate and efficient method for in situ single aerosol particle sizing.
- This technique is suitable for studying dynamic aerosol systems, such as those responding to changes in ambient humidity.
