An instrument for the simultaneous acquisition of size, shape, and spectral fluorescence data from single aerosol particles.

E Hirst, Paul H. Kaye, V Foot, J M Clark, P B Withers

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

11 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We describe the construction of a bio-aerosol monitor designed to capture and record intrinsic fluorescence spectra from individual aerosol particles carried in a sample airflow and to simultaneously capture data relating to the spatial distribution of elastically scattered light from each particle. The spectral fluorescence data recorded by this PFAS (Particle Fluorescence and Shape) monitor contains information relating to the particle material content and specifically to possible biological fluorophores. The spatial scattering data from PFAS yields information relating to particle size and shape. The combination of these data can provide a means of aiding the discrimination of bio-aerosols from background or interferent aerosol particles which may have similar fluorescence properties but exhibit shapes and/or sizes not normally associated with biological particles. The radiation used both to excite particle fluorescence and generate the necessary spatially scattered light flux is provided by a novel compact UV fiber laser operating at 266nm wavelength. Particles drawn from the ambient environment traverse the laser beam in single file. Intrinsic particle fluorescence in the range 300-570nm is collected via an ellipsoidal concentrator into a concave grating spectrometer, the spectral data being recorded using a 16-anode linear array photomultiplier detector. Simultaneously, the spatial radiation pattern scattered by the particle over 5degrees-30degrees scattering angle and 360degrees of azimuth is recorded using a custom designed 31-pixel radial hybrid photodiode array. Data from up to similar to5,000 particles per second may be acquired for analysis, usually performed by artificial neural network classification.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationOPTICALLY BASED BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL SENSING FOR DEFENCE
EditorsJC Carrano, A Zukauskas
Place of PublicationBELLINGHAM
PublisherSPIE (International Society for Optics and Phonotics)
Pages416-423
Number of pages8
ISBN (Print)0-8194-5570-9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2004

Keywords

  • bio-aerosol
  • detection
  • spectral fluorescence
  • spatial light scattering
  • fibre laser
  • particle shape
  • particle classification
  • LIGHT-SCATTERING PROFILES
  • AIRBORNE PARTICLES
  • INTRINSIC FLUORESCENCE
  • BIOLOGICAL PARTICLES
  • CLASSIFICATION
  • SYSTEM
  • LASER

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