Single-Particle Raman Spectrometer (SPaRS) for the non-destructive physico-chemical characterisation of aerosols

This project seeks to develop a prototype systems for the analysis of single levitated micrometre-sized particles captured from an ambient aerosol. The systems is designed to use Raman scattering to establish chemical nature of the particle, whilst simultaneously recording spatial elastic light scattering data from which an assessment of particle size, shape and physical structure may be acieved.Thismulti-parametric approach should provide a means of discriminating atmospheric particles whose toxitcity is determined by morphology as well as chemical composition. Areas of application could include environmental monitoring, source apportionment, occupational air quality investigation and potentially as part of a strategy for bio-aerosol detection