Development and calibration of a single UV LED based bioaerosol monitor

A high-sensitivity bioaerosol monitor based on a single 365 nm LED is developed and a calibration approach is discussed for the first time. The fluorescence detection system, which is the core part of the monitor, contains an optical detection module and a fluorescence signal processor configured with a phase sensitive detector (PSD). B800 fluorescent microspheres and staphylococcus are used for performance evaluation of the monitor. B800 microspheres are appropriate as calibration material. The experimental results demonstrate the PSD plays a significant role in improving sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of detection. Our monitor can detect staphylococcus concentration above 1800 cfu/L of air stably.