Abstract
The binary coalescence of aqueous droplets has been observed in a single-beam gradient-force optical trap. By measuring the time-dependent intensity for elastic scattering of light from the trapping laser, the dynamics of binary coalescence have been examined and the time scale for equilibration of a composite droplet to ambient conditions has been determined. These data are required for modeling the agglomeration of aqueous droplets in dense sprays and atmospheric aerosol. Elastic-light scattering from optically trapped particles has not been used previously to study the time-resolved dynamics of mixing. It is shown to offer a unique opportunity to characterize the binary coalescence of aqueous droplets with radii from 1 to 6 µm. The study of this size regime, which cannot be achieved by conventional imaging methods, is critical for understanding the interactions of droplets in the environment of dense sprays.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 8873-8884 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | Journal of Physical Chemistry A |
Volume | 116 |
Issue number | 35 |
Early online date | 6 Aug 2012 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 6 Sept 2012 |
Keywords
- Ambient conditions
- Aqueous aerosols
- Aqueous droplets
- Conventional imaging
- Dense sprays
- Optical trap
- Single-beam
- Time-dependent
- Time-resolved dynamics
- Time-scales
- Trapped particle
- Trapping laser