Diffusion aerosol spectrometer

The diffusion aerosol spectrometer for the measurements of particle size spectra and concentration levels is described. It includes three principal parts: (i) a block of diffusion batteries for measuring the particles, whose size does not exceed 0.15 mum, (ii) the particle amplifier for growing the particles passing through the diffusion batteries up to optically distinguishable sizes and (iii) the laser aerosol spectrometer, which counts the amplified particles and may also serve for independent measurements of particle size spectra within submicron size range. The tandem including: diffusion batteries + laser aerosol spectrometer allows for detecting particles of radius > 3 nm at maximal concentration up to 2 X 10(4) particles/cm(3). The tandem is managed either by PC or manually. The instrument is designed for studying aerosols in the atmosphere and for ecological measurements. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.