Photophoretic velocimetry—a new way for the in situ determination of particle size distribution and refractive index of hydrocolloids

Clemens Helmbrecht, Reinhard Niessner and Christoph Haisch

The migration of particles induced by the forces of light is known as photophoresis. The photophoretic velocity of particles under the influence of a strong light source, e.g. a laser beam, is recorded and measured by means of digital image processing which is called photophoretic velocimetry (PPV). The photophoretic velocity depends on the particle size as well as on its refractive index. By applying PPV, we show the determination of the intrinsic properties of polystyrene (PS), melamine resin (MF) and SiO2 particles, deduced from velocity distributions of both monodisperse as well as polydisperse suspensions. Especially the continuous determination of the refractive index of single hydrocolloids is of great interest for quality assurance and the discrimination of polydisperse biological or inorganic samples. Also, PPV is not restricted to in water dispersed samples only.

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