A laser-diffraction instrument is described for measuring directly and in situ the absolute particulate volume concentration or the infrared optical extinction coefficient of a polydisperse aerosol. Diffraction and Mie theory are used to write integrals that describe the interaction of light scattered by the particles and the optics of the instrument. These integrals are inverted to yield variable transmission filters that interact with the scattered light to give the desired instrument response. The particle-size dependency of the instrument’s performance is established, and the effect of the refractive index of the particles is evaluated. The design, major components, and absolute and field calibrations of the instrument are described. Examples of measurements in the field and laboratory are given.

© 1991 Optical Society of America

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Citation lists with outbound citation links are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an OSA member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Log in to access OSA Member Subscription

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Cited by links are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an OSA member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Log in to access OSA Member Subscription

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Article level metrics are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an OSA member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Log in to access OSA Member Subscription