Experiment No: Date:

Particle Size Determination using Laser Diffraction

Aim:
Determination of particle size of microparticles (lycopodium powder) using diode laser.
Equipment:
A diode laser, Diode laser mount, Screen, Slide with trapped microparticles (Lycopodium),
holders.

Theory:

When particles are irradiated with monochromatic laser light sources, the light will emit in
all directions due to the presence of the particle in its path. This light is called diffracted or
scattered light. The intensity of the scattered light has a fixed spatial pattern and is often referred to
as light intensity distribution pattern. The spatial distribution of the intensity is directly related to
the size of the particle. The angle of the scattered laser beam is inversely proportional to the size
of the particle and increases with a decrease in particle size. Figure 1 shows the model
experimental setup for diffraction pattern produced using particle distribution.

Figure 1: Schematic of the experimental setup for particles size determination.

A monochromatic laser source is used to illuminate the particle. The source of light is
spatially filtered using suitable optical combinations to produce a spatially filtered laser beam. The

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Experiment No: Date:

laser beam is then expanded and collimated using a lens arrangement. The expanded laser beam
hits the particles in its path and gets scattered and henceforth produce a diffraction pattern on the
screen. The diffraction pattern obtained is similar to that of a circular aperture. The size of the
circular rings in the diffraction pattern changes according to the size of the particle. Figure 2 shows
the difference in diffraction pattern for small and large size particles.

Figure 2: Typical diffraction pattern obtained for large and small sized particles.

The radius of the rings appeared on the screen, therefore is a measure of the size of the
particle used to scatter the light beam. Therefore, the radius of the nth dark ring can be determined
by the following relation

nb
Xn  n=1, 2, 3…… (1)
d

where,
b is the distance between the glass plate and the screen,
λ is the wavelength of the light,
d is the diameter of the particle at which laser lights falls,
and n = 0, 1, 2, . . . is an integer.

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Procedures:
1. Mount the laser on the stand and SWITCH ON the laser source.

2. Sprinkle the particle in on the glass plate and mount it at a distance from the laser source.
3. Mount the screen.

4. Adjust the distance between the glass plate and screen so as to obtain circular diffraction
patterns. Make sure that the intensity distribution in the diffraction pattern decreases as
one move from the central spot to the higher order circles.

5. Measure the distance between the screen and the glass plate (b).

6. Measure the distance ( Xn ) of the first order, second order and so on from the central
bright spot.

OBSERVATION TABLE

Given and Measured Wavelength of the diode laser, λ= 632.8×10-6 (mm)

S.No: The distance Order of The distance Diameter of the
between the diffraction between the central particle, d (mm)
screen and the ,n bright and the nth
glass plate, b fringe, Xn (mm)
(mm)
1 150 1 16 5.9×10-3
2 150 2 30 6.32×10-3
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4
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Calculation(s):

For 1st
b = 15 cm=15mm

x=1 xn = x1 = 1.6 cm = 16 mm n=1

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d = nλb = 1×632×10-6×150 = 5.9×10-3 mm

xn 16
= 5.9×10-6 m

For 2nd
b = 15 cm=15mm
xn = x2 = 30 mm n=2

d = nλb = 2×632×10-6×150 = 6.32×10-3 mm

xn 30
= 6.32×10-6 m

Error calculation.

Conclusion:

The size of the micro particles can be therefore determined using

LASER DIFFRACTION.

Precaution.

1. The distance between the screen and the glass plate should be measured

carefully.

2. Human errors should be avoided.

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