Optical characterization of size separated aerosol particles of different composition and morphology with a polar nephelometer

A new technique for the determination of the complex refractive index of aerosol particles has been developed. The particles are deposited on a membrane filter by means of an aerosol inertial spectrometer, in order to have fixed and size-separated particles. The filter is then made transparent by exposure to acetone vapours and the sample inspected with a laser beam. Scattering data are then analysed and the complex refractive index is obtained. Data and results are presented for a number of materials.