Light scattering instrumentation for aerosol studies: An historical overview

Abstract

The most powerful and elegant method for determining particle size distributions of aerosols by light scattering is to observe single particles suspended in a Millikan–Fletcher electrostatic field. The first such light scattering studies were carried out by Whytlaw-Gray and Patterson (1926), by Gucker and Egan (1961), and then by Wyatt and Phillips (1972). Optically levitated particles were studied by Grehan and Gousebet (1986). Optical particle counters were devised by Gucker and his associates (1947a, b) and Gucker and Rose (1954) for both forward and 90° viewing. Gucker also built an instrument for on-line viewing of 360° scatter by particles flowing through a light beam in single file. Individual particles were also analyzed in an ultramicroscope by Wells and Gerke (1919). The earliest angular scattering patterns from assemblies of particles were by Tolman and Vliet (1921) and by Sinclair and La Mer (1949). Other interesting systems have utilized acoustic detectors, power loss in a laser cavity, and Doppler shifted light scattering signals. Based on a presentation on October 14, 1992 at the Eleventh Annual, Meeting of the American Association for Aerosol Research. © 1997 American Association for Aerosol Research.