Particle sizing and velocity measurement of microspheres from the analysis of polarization of the scattered light

A brief review of the existing particle sizing methods is presented. An optical method under development is introduced from the analysis of the polarization ratio of the light scattered by the particles based on Lorenz–Mie theory. The theoretical background is summarized with the numerical calculation presented. A photogrammteric system has been set up to perform the measurements. Calibration of the experimental setup has been carried out on polystyrene microspheres of different size. The experimental values of the polarization ratio have been obtained by analyzing the particle images taken by the CCD to render the particle size under investigation. Several experiments and their results are demonstrated to illustrate the application fields of the optical method presented in the current study.

► In the current study, an optical method for particle sizing is presented.
► It provides a non-intrusive study of the particle characteristics in fluid mechanics.
► By employing double pulsed Nd:YAG laser, the method can be combined with PIV (Particle Image Velocimetry).
► Thus the determination of the particle velocity can be performed simultaneously.
► Applications to the real-time measurements have been introduced.