Anomalous diffraction approximation method for retrieval of spherical and spheroidal particle size distributions in total light scattering

Using total light scattering technique to measure the particle size distribution has advantages of simplicity in measurement principle and convenience in the optical arrangement. However, the calculation of extinction efficiency based on Mie theory for a spherical particle is expensive in both time and resources. Thus, a simple but accurate approximation formula for the exact extinction efficiency may be very desirable. The accuracy and limitations of using the anomalous diffraction approximation (ADA) method for calculating the extinction efficiency of a spherical particle are investigated. Meanwhile, the monomodal and bimodal particle size distributions of spherical particles are retrieved using the genetic algorithm in the dependent model. Furthermore, the spheroidal model in the retrieval of non-spherical particle size distribution is also discussed, which verifies the non-sphericity has a significant effect on the retrieval of particle size distribution compared with the assumed homogeneous isotropic sphere. Both numerical computer simulations and experimental results illustrate that the ADA can be successfully applied to retrieve the particle size distributions for spherical and spheroidal particles with high stability even in the presence of random noise. The method has advantages of simplicity, rapidity, and suitability for in-line particle size measurement.     

双光路DOAS系统获取大气颗粒物粒谱分布方法研究

当前大气复合污染日趋严重,造成大气氧化性增强,气体向颗粒物的转化加快。大气颗粒物粒径大小及谱分布决定其在大气中的行为,以差分吸收光谱法（DOAS）为基础,结合双光路设计技术,开展实时、在线、获取近地面大气气溶胶颗粒物的粒谱分布的光谱方法研究。首先构建低噪声性能稳定的宽带氙弧灯为光源的双光路差分吸收光谱系统,基于干净天气条件下大气的能见度数据对系统进行校准,通过两个不同光路获得的光谱信号强度之比获取近地面紫外-近红外波段的大气总宽波段消光系数。基于宽波段消光系数,在去除瑞利散射以及气体吸收对消光系数的影响后,解析出气溶胶颗粒物的消光系数。基于核函数准则,利用均匀球型粒子的电磁场Mie理论来反演气溶胶物理特性,获得气溶胶粒子在该测量谱段的体积谱分布,利用体积谱与数密度谱的关系,反演出气溶胶粒子的数密度谱分布。开展利用直方图方法来表现颗粒物的粒谱分布方法研究,首先将DOAS测量波段近似等分为若干谱段,利用谱段处平均值,获取气溶胶粒谱直方分布图。最后把该系统和方法应用于外场实验,获得了气溶胶颗粒物在300～650 nm范围内的消光系数,将测量波段等分为11个谱段,反演了颗粒物的在0.1～1.25 μm粒径范围的数密度谱分布。该研究为整治我国灰霾天气,研究大气气相/粒子非均相化学反应提供科学依据。同时将推动DOAS技术的进一步发展和应用。     

Evidence for particle size–shape correlations in the optical properties of silicate clay aerosol

Accurate modeling of the optical properties of atmospheric mineral dust is important for climate modeling calculations and remote sensing data retrievals. Atmospheric mineral dust in the accumulation mode size range is often rich in silicate clays including kaolinite and illite. This is important because dust optical properties depend on particle shape, and fundamental clay particles are known to consist of very thin flakes.In this combined laboratory and modeling study, we investigate the optical properties (IR extinction and visible light scattering) of two samples of silicate clay dust aerosol, kaolinite and illite. Particle size distributions are measured simultaneously with the optical properties. T-Matrix theory based simulations using a spheroidal particle approximation are compared with experimental data. We find that the full range of visible scattering and polarimetry data, and IR extinction profiles are not well fit by assuming a single size–shape distribution for the aerosol. In contrast, a simple bimodal distribution model that treats small particles (fundamental clay flakes) in the distribution as highly eccentric oblate spheroids with axial ratio parameters ≥5, but approximates larger particles by a more moderate shape distribution with axial ratio parameters <3, gives better agreement with the full range of experimental data. These conclusions are consistent with mineralogical data on the dimensions of fundamental clay particles.     

Modeling the radiative properties of nonspherical soil-derived mineral aerosols

Mineral dust aerosols have complex nonspherical shapes and varying composition. This study utilizes data on morphology (size and shape) and composition of dust particles to determine the extent to which the optical properties of real particles differ from those of spheres. A method for modeling the optical properties of complex particle mixtures is proposed. The method combines dust particle composition-shape-size (CSS) distributions reconstructed from the electron microscopy data, effective medium approximations and discrete dipole approximation. The method is used to compute optical characteristics of realistic dust mixtures representative of Saharan and Asian dust. We demonstrate that considered CSS distributions result in various differences in the extinction coefficient, single scattering albedo, asymmetry parameter and the scattering phase function relative to the volume-equivalent spheres and the mixtures of the randomly oriented oblate and prolate spheroids. Implications of these differences for radiation/climate modeling and remote sensing are discussed.     

Research on bimodal particle extinction coefficient during Brownian coagulation and condensation for the entire particle size regime

The extinction coefficient of atmospheric aerosol particles influences the earth’s radiation balance directly or indirectly, and it can be determined by the scattering and absorption characteristics of aerosol particles. The problem of estimating the change of extinction coefficient due to time evolution of bimodal particle size distribution is studied, and two improved methods for calculating the Brownian coagulation coefficient and the condensation growth rate are proposed, respectively. Through the improved method based on Otto kernel, the Brownian coagulation coefficient can be expressed simply in powers of particle volume for the entire particle size regime based on the fitted polynomials of the mean enhancement function. Meanwhile, the improved method based on Fuchs–Sutugin kernel is developed to obtain the condensation growth rate for the entire particle size regime. And then, the change of the overall extinction coefficient of bimodal distributions undergoing Brownian coagulation and condensation can be estimated comprehensively for the entire particle size regime. Simulation experiments indicate that the extinction coefficients obtained with the improved methods coincide fairly well with the true values, which provide a simple, reliable, and general method to estimate the change of extinction coefficient for the entire particle size regime during the bimodal particle dynamic processes.     

Linearized T-matrix and Mie scattering computations

We present a new linearization of T-Matrix and Mie computations for light scattering by non-spherical and spherical particles, respectively. In addition to the usual extinction and scattering cross-sections and the scattering matrix outputs, the linearized models will generate analytical derivatives of these optical properties with respect to the real and imaginary parts of the particle refractive index, and (for non-spherical scatterers) with respect to the “shape” parameter (the spheroid aspect ratio, cylinder diameter/height ratio, Chebyshev particle deformation factor). These derivatives are based on the essential linearity of Maxwell's theory. Analytical derivatives are also available for polydisperse particle size distribution parameters such as the mode radius. The T-matrix formulation is based on the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies FORTRAN 77 code developed in the 1990s. The linearized scattering codes presented here are in FORTRAN 90 and will be made publicly available.     

双峰分布颗粒体系的多角度动态光散射数据反演

采用多角度动态光散射和加权正则化反演方法,对4组模拟的双峰分布颗粒体系(100/600 nm,200/600 nm,300/600 nm和350/600 nm)分别选取1、3、6和10个散射角进行测量.粒度反演结果表明,采用加权正则化方法反演双峰颗粒体系的多角度动态光散射测量数据,可获得峰值位置比小于2∶1且含有大粒径(＞350 nm)颗粒的双峰颗粒粒度分布.采用标准聚苯乙烯乳胶颗粒进行实测的结果验证了这一结论.得到含大粒径颗粒的双峰粒度分布反演结果的原因在于,多角度动态光散射能提供更多的大粒径颗粒的粒度信息,加权正则化反演方法能减少测量数据中的噪声,因而多角度动态光散射测量数据的加权反演能实现峰值位置比小于2∶1且含有大粒径颗粒的双峰颗粒体系的测量.     

颗粒系的可见消光光谱分析及最佳波长的选择

在光全散射法颗粒粒径测量中,被测颗粒系的消光光谱包含有颗粒粒径、折射率等信息。对常用的单峰及双峰R-R分布的可见消光光谱进行模拟,分析了可见消光光谱随粒径和相对折射率变化的规律。选取二阶微分可见消光光谱不连续点对应的波长作为测量波长,并将可见光边界波长同时作为测量波长,在非独立模式下,采用遗传优化算法反演粒径分布。仿真计算与实验验证结果表明,通过消光光谱分析,可以预先确定被测颗粒系的分布状况,缩小优化算法中反演参数的搜索范围。结合最佳波长选择方法,使测量的精度和可靠性明显提高。对测量光谱加入1%随机噪声时,单峰及多峰分布粒径反演均能得到满意的结果。     

大气气溶胶粒子数密度谱和折射率虚部的测量

介绍一种综合利用光学粒子计数器和能见度仪测量大气气溶胶折射率虚部的新方法。首先，使用光学粒子计数器测量出大气气溶胶粒子的数密度谱(待订正)，用能见度仪同步测量出水平能见度。然后，根据球形粒子的米氏(Mie)散射理论，通过分析气溶胶粒子的折射率虚部、分档半径、粒子数密度谱、消光系数和能见度之间的关系，对分档半径进行订正，得到折射率虚部和能见度之间的对应关系。结合同步测量的能见度，反演出大气气溶胶粒子的折射率虚部。最后，利用折射率虚部对光学粒子计数器数据进行订正，得到大气气溶胶粒子的数密度谱。     

随机取向非球形沙尘气溶胶粒子的光学特性

利用离散偶极子近似法分析了一种随机取向旋转椭球体沙尘气溶胶粒子模型在尺度参数变化范围为0.1~23时(波长0.55!m对应有效半径为0.01~2!m)的光学特性,研究了沙尘粒子非球形性程度对其光学特性的影响,并考察了非球形粒子的随机取向能否用等体积球体来代替。就随机取向单分散和多分散旋转椭球体沙尘气溶胶而言,粒子非球形特征越明显,消光效率因子、不对称因子和单次散射反照率基本上偏离其等体积球体越大;对于相同的非球形,不对称因子偏离其等体积球体的相对偏差要比消光效率因子和单次散射反照率要大。非球形粒子的随机取向并不能使其光学特性严格等效为其等体积球体的光学特性。如果粒子形状偏离球体较小,则非球形粒子的随机取向的平均效果能使其消光效率因子、不对称因子和单次散射反照率近似用等体积球体的对应光学参量来等效;而如果粒子形状偏离球形较大,仅有单次散射反照率可以近似用等体积球体的单次散射反照率来等效,例如,轴半径比为16的旋转椭球体沙尘粒子的单次散射反照率偏离其等体积球体仅在3%以内。     

基于后向散射的高浓度纳米颗粒粒度分布测量方法研究

传统的动态光散射法通常采集侧向散射进行纳米颗粒粒度分布的测量,由于多次散射的影响,利用侧向散射不能准确测量高浓度样品的颗粒粒度分布。针对该问题,对后向散射测量方法进行了研究,在实验基础上提出了后向散射最佳光程的判断准则。在不同样品浓度下,用侧向散射和后向散射方法对标称粒径分别为110 nm、220 nm的聚苯乙烯乳胶球颗粒进行了测量。实验结果表明,对于高浓度的待测样品,后向散射测量方法通过自适应调整光程,在最优光程处进行测量,能够有效得到高浓度纳米颗粒的粒径及粒度分布,测量结果相对误差为2.72%。     

用多波长消光法测量大颗粒的尺寸分布

基于Mie光散射理论,提出一种用多波长消光原理(light extinction)测量大颗粒的尺寸分布的方法.理论分析及计算机数值模拟表明,采用可见光波段的多波长消光法可将测粒上限扩展至300μm以上.文中给出了数值模拟结果和对几种大尺寸标准颗粒的实测结果.     

Optical Particle Sizer: A New Development with Mathematical Correction of Spread Measurement Data

The development of an optical particle sizer for aerosols is described which is based on the principle of light scattering by single particles. The instrument is appropriate for simultaneous measurements of broad particle size distributions and allows applications in hot gases. The main topic concerns the evaluation of the particle size distribution from measured data, i.e. a mathematical correction for the influence of inhomogeneous illumination and of particle shape. Irregularly shaped and randomly orientated particles which also might be illuminated inhomogeneously (laser light, border zone) deliver different signal amplitudes, which finally results in a spreading of the measured particle size distribution. Assuming a specific distribution of signal amplitudes related to every particle size and shape, the spreading of the measured data can be corrected. The mathematical procedure requires the solution of a Fredholm integral equation, i.e. the inversion of a linear equation set whose coefficients are based on a correction function to be determined by a preceding calibration. A new inversion method has been developed combining the well known regularizalion according to Phillips and Twomey and the non-negative least-squares method according to Lawson and Hanson.     

椭球模型下通过雾场的多重光散射谱

由于雾滴的非球形、多重散射特性以及几何光学效应,光通过实际雾场的散射问题成为一个研究难点. 建立了近于实际的椭球雾滴模型,考虑光的衍射、透射及反射特性后,利用辐射传播方程得到了在不同的雾滴大小分布 及不同的雾滴形状分布下通过雾场的多重散射光强公式.在两种特例下与已有的结果较为相符,说明了方法的可靠性. 计算表明:与随机取向的非球形颗粒场的散射谱呈圆形特征不同,通过椭球形雾滴场的散射谱呈椭圆特征, 不同方位角的散射光强角分布有所差异,雾滴的形状因子越接近于1,差异越小;与单散射不同, 散射谱中的条纹随光学厚度增大逐步消失;对于不同大小分布及不同形状分布的雾滴场, 在不同方位角及不同观察角的散射光强随光学厚度τ的增加总是先增大再减小,光强的极大值位置在τ = 1.0---3.0 范围内.计算同时还表明,由于多数情况下实际雾场的雾滴大小偏差较大, 因而通过雾场的散射谱将呈现以中央亮斑为中心向四周弥散的图样.     

利用DDA方法计算大气气溶胶粒子光学特性

大气气溶胶是大气的重要组成部分,其光学特性是研究大气辐射传输特性的重要参量。本文基于DDA方法,对不同形状气溶胶粒子的光学特性进行计算,得到气溶胶粒子的消光因子、吸收因子随波长变化的数值结果。结合Muller散射矩阵,给出了气溶胶粒子散射强度和极化度的角分布,为研究大气辐射传输提供了有效的方法。     

获取大气颗粒物消光系数的差分吸收光谱法研究

针对雾霾天气日益增多,大气污染气体向颗粒物的转化在加快,研究了一种大范围对其监测的差分吸收光谱方法。差分吸收光谱法可以实时、在线、准确同时获取颗粒物光学特性和大气痕量气体浓度。论文首先分析了双光路差分吸收光学遥感系统获取颗粒物绝对光强的原理,然后研究了基于单光路测量大气吸收谱,在干净天气状况下测量参考光谱,利用能见度数据,在550 nm波段处实现系统校准,计算校准参数,从而获得大气绝对吸收光强,然后解析出大气总的消光系数。再从总的大气消光系数中,去除瑞利散射以及大气痕量气体吸收对消光系数影响后,精确解析出颗粒物消光系数。同时基于差分思想获取大气痕量气体的浓度。最后把该方法应用于外场实验,获取大气颗粒物在350～700 nm波段范围内消光系数和大气中NO₂的浓度。研究结果表明颗粒物消光系数的随着波长的增加而减少,符合Angstrom公式。该研究为分析大气气相/粒子非均相化学反应提供有力的技术支持。     

Characterization of spherical core–shell particles by static light scattering. Estimation of the core- and particle-size distributions

A numerical method is proposed for the characterization of core–shell spherical particles from static light scattering (SLS) measurements. The method is able to estimate the core size distribution (CSD) and the particle size distribution (PSD), through the following two-step procedure: (i) the estimation of the bivariate core–particle size distribution (C–PSD), by solving a linear ill-conditioned inverse problem through a generalized Tikhonov regularization strategy, and (ii) the calculation of the CSD and the PSD from the estimated C–PSD. First, the method was evaluated on the basis of several simulated examples, with polystyrene–poly(methyl methacrylate) core–shell particles of different CSDs and PSDs. Then, two samples of hematite–Yttrium basic carbonate core–shell particles were successfully characterized. In all analyzed examples, acceptable estimates of the PSD and the average diameter of the CSD were obtained. Based on the single-scattering Mie theory, the proposed method is an effective tool for characterizing core–shell colloidal particles larger than their Rayleigh limits without requiring any a-priori assumption on the shapes of the size distributions. Under such conditions, the PSDs can always be adequately estimated, while acceptable CSD estimates are obtained when the core/shell particles exhibit either a high optical contrast, or a moderate optical contrast but with a high ‘average core diameter’/‘average particle diameter’ ratio.     

Calculation method for particle mean diameter and particle size distribution function under dependent model algorithm

In total light scattering particle sizing technique, the relationship among Sauter mean diameter D32, mean extinction efficiency Q, and particle size distribution function is studied in order to inverse the mean diameter and particle size distribution simply. We propose a method which utilizes the mean extinction efficiency ratio at only two selected wavelengths to solve D32 and then to inverse the particle size distribution associated with (Q) and D32. Numerical simulation results show that the particle size distribution is inversed accurately with this method, and the number of wavelengths used is reduced to the greatest extent in the measurement range. The calculation method has the advantages of simplicity and rapidness.     

Comparative Test of Methods to Determine Particle Size and Particle Size Distribution in the Submicron Range

Among the most important characteristic properties of disperse systems such as latices, pigments, ceramic materials or drug formulations are the particle size and the particle size distribution. To measure these quantities, several methods and measuring instruments based on different physical principles are available. These include turbidimetry, dynamic and static light scattering, electron microscopy with image analysis, ultra- and disc centrifugation, light diffraction and the electrical sensing zone method. All these measuring techniques are doubtless necessary because of the large product variety and the broad particle size range. However, some problems arise if different techniques are used and the results are compared uncritically without considering to the application range and the resolution of the methods. An extensive comparative test was therefore carried out using seven latices in the submicron range with defined monomodal, bimodal and hexamodal particle size distributions. The most important methods of determining average particle size values and particle size distributions were tested and compared. Of the methods to determine only average particle sizes, turbidimetry is the most efficient, followed by dynamic light scattering with cumulants evaluation. Static light scattering only yields accurate results for small particles with narrow particle size distributions. Of the methods to determine particle size distributions, ultracentrifugation and, somewhat less, disc centrifugation and electron microscopy with image analysis are the most efficient. Dynamic light scattering only yields reliable results in the case of small particles with narrow distribution curves. Light diffraction and the electrical sensing zone method are less suitable for the submicron range.     

Anomalous diffraction of light with geometrical path statistics of rays and a Gaussian ray approximation

The anomalous-diffraction theory (ADT) of extinction of light by soft particles is shown to be determined by a statistical distribution of the geometrical paths of individual rays inside the particles. Light extinction depends on the mean and the mean-squared geometrical paths of the rays. Analytical formulas for optical efficiencies from a Gaussian distribution of the geometrical paths of rays are derived. This Gaussian ray approximation reduces to the exact ADT in the intermediate case of light scattering for an arbitrary soft particle and describes well the extinction of light from a system of randomly oriented and (or) polydisperse particles. The implications for probing of the sizes and shapes of particles by light extinction are discussed.