Air airborne particle counter SP2

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Product overview
The SP2 is Droplet’s instrument for direct, particle-level measurement of black carbon (soot). It provides per-particle mass, size, heat of vaporization and coating information, enabling source characterization, improved optical property descriptions and assessment of potential health impacts.

Features and benefits

• Single-particle detection — Resolve particle-to-particle variability in black carbon composition for more representative datasets.
• Laser-induced particle incandescence (LII) — Nd:YAG intracavity LII measures black carbon independent of mixing state.
• Full particle characterization — Simultaneous incandescence and light-scattering capture mass, size, volatilization and coating for each detected particle.
• High sensitivity — Detect individual black carbon down to 0.07 fg/particle and concentrations below 10 ng/m3 with dual gain stages.
• Integrated virtual instrument panel — Built-in UI for instrument control, real-time display and data logging.
• Advanced data analysis & reporting — Toolkit for particle-level analysis and publication-ready reports.
• Lifecycle Care options — Service programs to maintain instrument performance over its operational life.

Technology

• Laser incandescence and particle light-scattering — Intracavity 1064 nm Nd:YAG LII with 808 nm pump laser.
• Single-particle incandescence correlates to black carbon mass; scattering signals indicate particle size and non-BC aerosol counts.
• Electronic flow control with laminar flow element and solenoid valve; sample flow 30–180 cm³/min (typical 120 cm³/min).

Main applications

• Climate modelling and radiative forcing studies
• Human health exposure research
• Pollution source characterization and atmospheric process studies

SP2 Software
Built-in software provides a virtual instrument panel for control, visualization and logging. It displays particle-level incandescence and scattering traces, short-term concentration trends, instrument monitors (e.g., YAG power, flows), selectable charts/data channels and filters for saved output to isolate specific particle-event types.

Accessories

• Beam-scan camera and software
• YAG optics kit (spare crystal and output coupler)
• Laser alignment bench
• Nebulizer with optional autosampler for liquid samples
• Aircraft aerosol inlet

Technical specifications

• Measured parameters: Single-particle laser incandescence; single-particle light scattering.
• Auxiliary parameters: Temperature; Pressure.
• Derived parameters: BC mass distribution vs particle diameter; particle number distribution vs size.
• Maximum acquisition rate: 12,500 particles/cm³ at 120 cm³/min.
• Particle size range: Scattering 150–400 nm (accumulation mode); Incandescence 0.07–100 fg (~40–450 nm mass-equivalent assuming BC density 1.8 g/cm³).
• Aerosol medium / conditions: Air, 0–40 °C; humidity non-condensing; altitude up to 40,000 ft.
• Laser: Intracavity 1064 nm Nd:YAG; pump 808 nm.
• Sample flow: 30–180 cm³/min (typical 120 cm³/min); electronic flow control with LFE and solenoid valve.
• Pumps: Two single-head diaphragm pumps in one enclosure.
• Minimum BC detection: 0.07 fg/particle; concentration detection below 10 ng/m³ with dual gain.
• Front interfaces: Power switch; 2x USB 2.0; 1/8 in. Swagelok® sample inlet; Laser ON/OFF indicator.
• Rear connections: Keyboard/mouse ports; VGA/HDMI; Ethernet; 2x RS-232; 4x USB 2.0; eSATA; 1/4 in. Swagelok® purge and exhaust; exhaust vents; system and pump power connections; four 0–5V analog inputs (BNC).
• Computer (on-board): Intel® Core™ i7; 8 GB RAM; 750 GB storage; NI PCI-6133 DAQ; NI PCI-6259 housekeeping card; 19" monitor, keyboard, mouse.
• Data storage example: ~56 hours continuous at 1,000 #/cm³ and 120 cm³/min (expandable externally).
• Power: 100–240 VAC, 50/60 Hz, 330 W.
• Dimensions: Instrument 48 x 61 x 26 cm; Pump 20 x 25 x 10 cm; Monitor 37 x 22 x 39 cm.
• Weight: Instrument 26.1 kg; Pump 3.4 kg; Monitor 3 kg.