The laboratory apparatus measures the complete scattering matrix as a function of the scattering angle of aerosol particles. The measurements can be performed at a wavelength (λ) of 483, 488, 520, 568, or 647 nm in the scattering angle (θ) range from 3 to 177 degrees.
Schematic overview of the IAA Cosmic Dust Laboratory.
Detailed description of the experimental apparatus
For a detailed description of the experimental apparatus and data reduction process, click here.
Testing
The apparatus was tested by using some spherical test particles, for which Mie's theoretical solution is well known.
Water droplets were used for testing before measuring samples of micron-sized particles.
For measurements of individual mm-sized grains, some commercial calibration spheres were used as test particles.