Real-time observation of the change in light scattering from droplets withincreasing deformity

Commercial aerodynamic particle sizing instruments generally achieve the de sired particle size measurement by accelerating a sample airstream in which the particles are suspended and measuring the velocity acquired by individ ual particles. The accelerating flow regime can cause liquid droplets to de form and this subsequently introduces errors. In this paper, we present an apparatus that enables droplet deformation to be observed by recording the spatial light scatter intensity. The paper presents experimental data in vi deo format showing the changes that occur in the light scattering from drop lets as a function of increasing flow rate/deformation. (C) 2001 Optical So ciety of America.