An all-fiber integrated device capable of separating and counting particles is presented. A sequence of silica fiber capillaries with various diameters and longitudinal cavities are used to fabricate the component for size-based elasto-inertial passive separation of particles followed by detection in an uninterrupted continuous flow. Experimentally, fluorescent particles of 1 μm and 10 μm sizes are mixed in a visco-elastic fluid and fed into the all-fiber separation component. The particles are sheathed by an elasticity enhancer (PEO - polyethylene oxide) to the side walls. Larger 10 μm particles migrate to the center of the silica capillary due to the combined inertial lift force and elastic force, while the smaller 1 μm particles are unaffected, and exit from a side capillary. A separation efficiency of 100% for the 10 μm and 97% for the 1 μm particles is achieved at a total flow rate of 50 μL min−1. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time effective inertial-based separation has been demonstrated in circular cross-section microchannels. In the following step, the separated 10 μm particles are routed through another all-fiber component for counting and a counting throughput of ∼1400 particles per min is demonstrated. We anticipate the ability to combine high throughput separation and precise 3D control of particle position for ease of counting will aid in the development of advanced microflow cytometers capable of particle separation and quantification for various biomedical applications.
A procedure is presented for in situ determination of the frequency penetration depth of coated mirrors in Fabry-Perot (FP) based refractometers and its influence on the assessment of refractivity and pressure. It is based on assessments of the absolute frequency of the laser and the free spectral range of the cavity. The procedure is demonstrated on an Invar-based FP cavity system with high-reflection mirrors working at 1.55 µm. The influence was assessed with such a low uncertainty that it does not significantly contribute to the uncertainties (k = 2) in the assessment of refractivity (<8 × 10−13) or pressure of nitrogen (<0.3 mPa).
The aim of this study was to establish traceable number concentration measurements of airborne particles beyond 10 μm in particle size. To this end, the primary standards for particle number concentration at the National Metrology Institutes of Switzerland and Japan were further developed to extend their measurement capabilities. Details on the upgraded setup are provided. An inter-comparison of the two primary standards using an optical particle counter as transfer standard showed that these agree well within the stated uncertainties at polystyrene (PS) equivalent optical diameter of 15 µm. Subsequently, four Model 3321 (TSI Inc., USA) aerodynamic particle size spectrometers (APS) were calibrated against the primary standard of Switzerland using size-certified PS spheres with optical/aerodynamic diameter up to 20 µm as test aerosols. The counting efficiency profile and unit-to-unit variability of the APS units were determined. The results presented here can be useful for the analysis and interpretation of data collected by the different atmospheric aerosol networks worldwide. The outlined methodology can also be applied in the calibration of automated bio-aerosol monitors. © 2022 The Author(s).