Unified inversion scheme that uses light scattering for morphological parameters and optical properties of aggregated...

A robust scheme for characterizing chainlike aggregated aerosols by use of nonintrusive light-scattering measurements is presented. This scheme entails the selection of suitable scattering quantities and their optimal measurement angles; the development of an inversion algorithm to yield the complex refractive index of agglomerates m = n + ik, the primary particle diameter d(p), the number of primary particles per agglomerate N(p), the number density of agglomerates n(A), and the volume fraction of agglomerates f(v); and evaluation of the uncertainties of the inferred parameters that correspond to measuring uncertainties. The data-inversion algorithm is based on the exact formulation of light scattering for agglomerates that consist of primary particles in the Rayleigh limit and therefore has solid theoretical foundations. In addition, this approach yields all the desired parameters of the aggregated aerosols by using in situ light-scattering measurements with a minimum of possible uncertainties. Furthermore, the methodology developed here can be extended to aerosols with other types of morphology and optical property.