APM-3600 classifies particles based on their intrinsic mass; the technique is not dependent on particle size, shape factor, orientation, or properties of the surrounding gas. APM-3600 utilizes two cylindrical electrodes rotating about a common axis at the same angular speed. Charged particles enter the annular gap rotating at the same speed as the electrodes. As a voltage is applied to the inner electrode, the particles experience directly opposing centrifugal and electrostatic forces. These forces are in balance for particles of a specific mass, allowing the particles to traverse through the APM.
