Laser Diffraction

Particle size measurement using static light scattering (Particle size determination by laser diffraction)

The particle size distribution as a parameter to specify a powder or dispersion plays a central role in many applications. Examples are construction material (sands, cements), pharmaceuticals, lime stones, ceramics, colored pigments, fertilizers, emulsions and many more. The range of applications is increasing permanently and hence the requirements on the measurement methods regarding size range, measuring time and reproducibility are increasing. Particularly the precise and reproducible detection of particles with sizes close to the measuring range limits as well as the simultaneous determination of particle sizes of very small particles (nanometer range) as well as large particles (lower millimeter range) for the characterization of polymodally or very broadly distributed samples provides a challenge. State-of-the-art laser diffraction analyzer such as the Bettersizer S3 Plus laser grain size analyzer solves these tasks by an innovative design of the optical bench for the detection of backscattered light of very small particles and by detecting large particles by an integrated high-speed CCD camera or the combination of static light scattering and automated imaging.