Polarization-dependent LIF/Mie ratio for sizing of micrometric ethanol droplets doped with Nile red

The present study deals with droplet sizing based on laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) and Mie scattering for varied polarization of the utilized laser (parallel or perpendicular). The polarization-dependent LIF/Mie ratio is studied for micrometric droplets (25-60 µm) produced with a droplet generator. The investigations were carried out with the dye Nile red dissolved in ethanol and ethanol/iso-octane mixtures. A spectral absorption and fluorescence characterization at various dye and ethanol concentrations is carried out in a cuvette in order to identify reabsorption effects. The LIF_|| droplet images (index ||: parallel polarization) show a more homogeneous intensity distribution in the droplets and slightly stronger morphology-dependent resonances (MDRs) in comparison to LIF_⊥ (index ⊥: perpendicular polarization). The spectral LIF emissions reveal a dependence of the MDR on the ethanol admixture. The larger the ethanol content, the lower the MDR peak, which is also shifted further to the red part of the spectrum. The Mie droplet signal images are mainly characterized by two distinct glare points, one at the entrance of the laser light (reflection) and one at the exit (first-order refraction). The Mie_⊥ images show a more pronounced entrance glare point, in comparison to Mie_||, where the exit glare point is more pronounced. These observations are in accordance with the theory. The calibration curve of the micro droplet signals revealed a volumetric trend of the LIF signals and a slightly higher LIF_⊥ signal and sensitivity in comparison to LIF_||. The signal Mie⊥ follows roughly a quadratic trend on average, while Mie|| follows a linear trend. Consequently, the calculated LIF⊥/Mie⊥ ratio shows a linear trend, whereas the LIF||/Mie|| ratio shows a quadratic trend, which confirms theoretical calculations. A numerical simulation of the Mie signal at various detection angles shows a good agreement with the experimental data at large apertures.