Development of PIXE, PESA and transmission ion microscopy capability to measure aerosols by size and time

We describe a new capability that consists of a combination of proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE), proton elastic scattering analysis (PESA) and transmission ion microscopy (all performed at the same location on the sample) techniques to address some of the research needs associated with time series and size-dependent composition of atmospheric aerosols. Simultaneous measurements of PIXE and PESA can be performed on aerosols collected using 3 stage improved rotating DRUM impactor by size (Stage A: 2.5-1.15 μm; Stage B: 0.34-1.15 μm; Stage C: 0.07-0.34 μm) with time resolution set by the rotation rate from 1 mm every 4 h to 1 mm every 6 min on a 16.8 cm long impaction strips that can be coated with Mylar, stretched Teflon, or aluminum, depending on the analysis method chosen. Preliminary measurements carried out using a 1 mm diameter proton beam were made on industrial test samples, yielding promising results at a time resolution of only 6 min