Response of dual-wavelength optical particle spectrometer (DWOPS) to well-defined aerosols

Full text: It is a recognized fact that more information is contained in the spatial distribution of light scattered from a particle than is currently used in conventional spectrometers. Employing multiple detectors to study the elastically scattered light gives access to a description of a particle size, leading also to information on a particle's refractive index and maybe shape. The DWOPS measures and evaluates light scattered from an individual particle into four different angular ranges. This data corresponds to theoretically determinable instrument's responses for a given particle. A fit procedure finds the quadruple of theoretical values best matching the quadruple of measured values. Experiments with well-defined spherical, homogeneous aerosols will be reported and show that a unique particle sizing and also an unambiguous determination of the complex refractive indices of measured particles is possible. It must be mentioned that the particle measurement and evaluation of performance is based on the postulation of sphericity of aerosols in question, which may be assumed for many submicron atmospheric particles. The irregular shape of particles is an inherent difficulty in single optical particle spectrometry. Preliminary measurements with DWOPS are promissing in dealing with this issue. (author)