Development of Particle Counter Using IR Transmittance Property of Metallic Mesh Device

Abstract

In this research, a novel particle counter, in which particles were detected by spectral characteristics of metal mesh device with periodic through holes of several micrometers, was developed. When the solution of latex particle with larger than the hole was passed through the metal mesh device, the infrared transmittance of the metal mesh device changed as the concentration of latex particle increased. A linear relationship between the concentration of particle and the change in the transmittance of infrared was confirmed. On the other hand, the infrared transmittance of the metal mesh device did not change, because the metal mesh device did not collect a small latex particle. The metal mesh device could collect and detect only latex particle with larger than the hole in the coexistence of small latex particle with 10 times higher concentration. It is expected that size distribution of particle can be measured by lamination of the metal mesh devices with different hole diameters.