Balloon-Borne Aerosol Counter Modifications,Particle Sizing Accuracy Tests.

摘要

This report describes refurbishing work performed on the AFCRL aerosol counter which had sustained damage on the last of three successive stratospheric balloon flights in 1973. Certain improvements in the signal processing circuitry and associated software,which simplify the background level determination procedure and generate useful in-flight diagnostic information,are also described. In addition the results of exploratory tests to examine the combined effects of polarized illumination and particle shape as well as index of refraction on the sizing accuracy of the counter,are presented. Particles from several types of polishing compounds were nebulized and the size distribution as measured by the aerosol counter were compared with scanning electron microscope data. (Author)