Study of individual atmospheric aerosol particles at the Debrecen ion microprobe

Aerosol samples collected in outside and indoor environments with a 9-stage PI cascade impactor were analysed using PIXE, STIM (on and off-axis) and RBS ion beam analytical techniques at the Debrecen ion microprobe. Elemental composition, size and morphology of single aerosol particles were determined.Since the quantitative determination of light element concentrations requires a support material with small or no light element content, impactor surfaces made of different materials were tested in order to optimize the sampling and analysis. Thin polymer and Al foils were found to be possibly adequate substrate materials.