Ultrafine Aerosol Measurement Using a Condensation Nucleus Counter with Pulse Height Analysis

M. T. Saros; R. J. Weber; J. J. Marti; P. H. McMurry

doi:10.1080/02786829608965391

Ultrafine Aerosol Measurement Using a Condensation Nucleus Counter with Pulse Height Analysis

M. T. Saros, R. J. Weber, J. J. Marti, P. H. McMurry

Mechanical Engineering

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

87 Scopus citations

Abstract

Photodetector pulse heights from an ultrafine condensation nucleus counter increase monotonically with particle size in the ∼ 2.7–15 nm diameter range. This relationship can be used to measure concentrations and size distributions of ultrafine aerosols. In this study, we investigated the sensitivity of size-dependent pulse heights to total particle concentration, absolute pressure (0.25–1 atmosphere), and particle composition (H₂SO₄, (NH₄)2SO₄, NaCl, and tungsten oxide). We found that pulse heights shifted significantly with pressure and slightly with concentration. Coincidence led to errors for concentrations exceeding 4 × 10³ cm⁻³. Over the range of conditions investigated, however, the observed shifts in the pulse height voltage were independent of size. The pulse height method is particularly applicable to situations involving low ultrafine particle concentrations, such as are encountered in the remote troposphere.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	200-213
Number of pages	14
Journal	Aerosol Science and Technology
Volume	25
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/02786829608965391
State	Published - Jan 1 1996

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Thls work was suppofled by Department of Energy Grant DE-FG02-91ER61205 and bv a NASA Global Chanw Fellowship (RW. We appreci& the many helpful discussions we have had with Dr. Mark Stolzenburg.

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title = "Ultrafine Aerosol Measurement Using a Condensation Nucleus Counter with Pulse Height Analysis",

abstract = "Photodetector pulse heights from an ultrafine condensation nucleus counter increase monotonically with particle size in the ∼ 2.7–15 nm diameter range. This relationship can be used to measure concentrations and size distributions of ultrafine aerosols. In this study, we investigated the sensitivity of size-dependent pulse heights to total particle concentration, absolute pressure (0.25–1 atmosphere), and particle composition (H2SO4, (NH4)2SO4, NaCl, and tungsten oxide). We found that pulse heights shifted significantly with pressure and slightly with concentration. Coincidence led to errors for concentrations exceeding 4 × 103 cm−3. Over the range of conditions investigated, however, the observed shifts in the pulse height voltage were independent of size. The pulse height method is particularly applicable to situations involving low ultrafine particle concentrations, such as are encountered in the remote troposphere.",

author = "Saros, {M. T.} and Weber, {R. J.} and Marti, {J. J.} and McMurry, {P. H.}",

note = "Funding Information: Thls work was suppofled by Department of Energy Grant DE-FG02-91ER61205 and bv a NASA Global Chanw Fellowship (RW. We appreci& the many helpful discussions we have had with Dr. Mark Stolzenburg.",

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AU - McMurry, P. H.

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AB - Photodetector pulse heights from an ultrafine condensation nucleus counter increase monotonically with particle size in the ∼ 2.7–15 nm diameter range. This relationship can be used to measure concentrations and size distributions of ultrafine aerosols. In this study, we investigated the sensitivity of size-dependent pulse heights to total particle concentration, absolute pressure (0.25–1 atmosphere), and particle composition (H2SO4, (NH4)2SO4, NaCl, and tungsten oxide). We found that pulse heights shifted significantly with pressure and slightly with concentration. Coincidence led to errors for concentrations exceeding 4 × 103 cm−3. Over the range of conditions investigated, however, the observed shifts in the pulse height voltage were independent of size. The pulse height method is particularly applicable to situations involving low ultrafine particle concentrations, such as are encountered in the remote troposphere.

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Ultrafine Aerosol Measurement Using a Condensation Nucleus Counter with Pulse Height Analysis

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