Atmospheric particles can be collected in the field on substrates for subsequent laboratory analysis via chemically sensitive single particle methods such as scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive x-ray analysis. With moving substrates time resolution of seconds to minutes can be achieved. In this paper, we demonstrate how to increase the time resolution when collecting particles on a substrate to a few milliseconds to provide real-time information. Our fast time-resolved aerosol collector ("Fast-TRAC") microscopically observes the particle collection on a substrate and records an on-line video. Particle arrivals are resolved to within a single frame (4-17 ms in this setup), and the spatial locations are matched to the subsequent single particle analysis. This approach also provides in-situ information on particle size and number concentration. Applications are expected in airborne studies of cloud microstructure, pollution plumes, and surface long-term monitoring. © 2010 Author(s).
CITATION STYLE
Yu, X. Y., Cowin, J. P., Iedema, M. J., & Ali, H. (2010). Fast time-resolved aerosol collector: Proof of concept. Atmospheric Measurement Techniques, 3(5), 1377–1384. https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-3-1377-2010
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