Droplet UHSAS User manual

COPYRIGHT © 2017 DROPLET MEASUREMENT TECHNOLOGIES
Ultra High Sensitivity
Aerosol Spectrometer
(UHSAS)
0.06 – 1.0 microns
Operator Manual
DOC-0210 Rev E-4
Software Version 4.1.0
2400 Trade Centre Avenue
Longmont, CO 80503

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© 2017 DROPLET MEASUREMENT TECHNOLOGIES
2400 TRADE CENTRE AVENUE
LONGMONT,COLORADO,USA80503
TEL:[phone]
FAX:[phone]
WWW.DROPLETMEASUREMENT.COM
All rights reserved. No part of this document shall be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or
transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without
written permission from Droplet Measurement Technologies, Inc. Although every precaution has
been taken in the preparation of this document, Droplet Measurement Technologies, Inc.
assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. Neither is any liability assumed for damages
resulting from the use of the information contained herein.
Information in this document is subject to change without prior notice in order to improve
accuracy, design, and function and does not represent a commitment on the part of the
manufacturer. Information furnished in this manual is believed to be accurate and reliable.
However, no responsibility is assumed for its use, or any infringements of patents or other rights
of third parties, which may result from its use.
Trademark Information
All Droplet Measurement Technologies, Inc. product names and the Droplet Measurement
Technologies, Inc. logo are trademarks of Droplet Measurement Technologies, Inc.
All other brands and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
owners.
Warranty
The seller warrants that the equipment supplied will be free from defects in material and
workmanship for a period of one year from the confirmed date of purchase of the original buyer.
Service procedures and repairs are warrantied for 90 days. The equipment owner will pay for
shipping to DMT, while DMT covers the return shipping expense.
Consumable components, such as tubing, filters, pump diaphragms, and Nafion humidifiers and
dehumidifiers are not covered by this warranty.

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Laser Safety Warnings
STRICT OBSERVANCE OF THE FOLLOWING LASER SAFETY LABELS IS ADVISED.
The UHSAS is a Class I Laser Product with an embedded Class 4 pump laser. CAUTION: Use of
control or adjustments or performance of procedures other than specified in this manual may
result in hazardous radiation exposure.
The above certification and identification labels are located on the back panel.
This label is located on the support structure
underneath the instrument cover, identifying the
location of the two laser safety interlocks.
This label is located in two locations on the optical block and the
arrow points to the cleaning ports.
This label is located on the optics block.
Laser Characteristics
Class 1
Laser Product
Complies with 21 CFR
1040.10 and 1040.11 except
for deviations pursuant to
Laser Notice no. 50, dated
June 24, 2007

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Pump Laser
Main Laser
Wavelength
~797 nm
~1054 nm
Maximum power
1.6 W
- 50 mW for leakage through mirror
- 1100 W for recirculating power
Maximum exposure time
-1/10 second for 50 mW
-10-9 second for 1100 W

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Table of Contents
Part I: Hardware .........................................................................................................8
1.0 Product Description.......................................................................................8
1.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 8
1.2 Specifications and Features ............................................................................................. 9
1.3 Electrical Specifications ................................................................................................. 10
1.4 Physical Specifications ................................................................................................... 10
1.5 Operating Limits............................................................................................................. 10
2.0 Theory of Operation ....................................................................................11
2.1 Optical System ............................................................................................................... 12
2.1.1 The Laser.................................................................................................................. 12
2.1.2 The Detection System .............................................................................................. 12
2.1.3 The Mechanical Housing.......................................................................................... 13
2.2 Flow System ................................................................................................................... 15
2.3 Analog Electronics.......................................................................................................... 16
2.3.1 Particle Signal Amplification and Tracking .............................................................. 16
2.3.2 Laser Power Monitoring .......................................................................................... 17
2.4 Digital Electronics System.............................................................................................. 17
2.4.1 ADCs and Peak Height Analysis ............................................................................... 17
2.4.2 Monitoring and Control ........................................................................................... 18
2.5 On-board PC................................................................................................................... 19
3.0 Unpacking and Setting up the UHSAS...........................................................19
4.0 Using the Instrument...................................................................................21
4.1 Start-Up.......................................................................................................................... 21
4.2 Shutdown / Power Off Procedure ................................................................................. 25
5.0 Calibration ..................................................................................................26
5.1 Calibration Overview ..................................................................................................... 26
5.1.1 Relative Gain Calibration ......................................................................................... 26
5.1.2 Absolute Calibration ................................................................................................ 26
5.2Calibration Procedure.................................................................................................... 28
5.2.1 Reasons for Calibration............................................................................................ 28
5.2.2 Step One: Relative Gain Calibration......................................................................... 28

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5.2.3 Step Two: Absolute Calibration................................................................................ 30
5.3 Calibration Confirmation ............................................................................................... 32
5.3.1 Particle Size Calibration Confirmation ..................................................................... 32
5.3.2 Flow Rate Calibration Confirmation ........................................................................ 32
6.0 Safety Procedures and Troubleshooting.......................................................33
6.1 Safety Procedures.......................................................................................................... 33
6.2 Troubleshooting............................................................................................................. 33
6.3 Manually Adjusting Flow Knobs..................................................................................... 34
7.0 Maintenance ...............................................................................................35
7.1 Yearly Maintenance at DMT .......................................................................................... 35
7.2 Cleaning the Laser Optics .............................................................................................. 35
8.0 Communications..........................................................................................39
Part II: Software........................................................................................................40
9.0 Map Tab......................................................................................................41
10.0 Histogram Tab .............................................................................................44
10.1 Autoscaling .................................................................................................................... 45
11.0 Controls Tab ................................................................................................46
12.0 Configuration Tab........................................................................................48
13.0 Calibration Tab ............................................................................................51
13.1 Calibration Curve Sub-tab.............................................................................................. 51
13.1.1 Calibration Points Control .................................................................................... 51
13.1.2 Calibration Curve.................................................................................................. 52
13.1.3 Control for Points Outside the Power-Law........................................................... 53
13.2 G3:G2 Gain, G2:G1 Gain, G1:G0 Gain (the Relative-Gain Sub-tabs).............................. 53
Appendix A: Output File Data Channels................................................................55
Appendix B: Revisions to Manual.........................................................................56

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Table of Figures
Figure 1: The UHSAS....................................................................................................8
Figure 2: Block Diagram of the UHSAS .......................................................................11
Figure 3: Side View of Optical Block...........................................................................13
Figure 4: Light Collection Angles................................................................................13
Figure 5: Top View of Optical Block ...........................................................................14
Figure 6: Schematic Diagram of Flow System .............................................................15
Figure 7: Block Diagram of Analog Electronics ...........................................................17
Figure 8: Handle on the Side of the UHSAS ................................................................19
Figure 9: Extra Tubing on Inlet Line............................................................................20
Figure 10: The Controls Tab on the UHSAS Software..................................................22
Figure 11: Zero Filter on Top of UHSAS Unit...............................................................23
Figure 12: 100-nm Particle Distribution on a Properly Calibrated Instrument .............24
Figure 13: 100-nm Particle Distribution on an Instrument that Needs Calibration ......24
Figure 14: Ambient-Air Distribution on a Properly Calibrated Instrument ..................25
Figure 15: Ambient-Air Distribution on an Instrument that Needs Calibration............25
Figure 16: Example Calibration Curve ........................................................................27
Figure 17: Running a Relative Gain Calibration ..........................................................29
Figure 18: Calibrating the UHSAS...............................................................................31
Figure 19: Sample and Sheath Flow Knobs (Rarely Used) ...........................................34
Figure 20: Opening the Exhaust Line..........................................................................36
Figure 21: UHSAS Power Switch on Front of Unit .......................................................36
Figure 22: UHSAS Laser Interlock Switch on Rear of Unit............................................37
Figure 23: Unscrewing Cleaning Port .........................................................................38
Figure 24: Cleaning the Optic.....................................................................................38
Figure 25: Map Tab ...................................................................................................41
Figure 26: Map Tab with Password-Protected Options...............................................42
Figure 27: Histogram Tab ..........................................................................................44
Figure 28: Controls Tab .............................................................................................46
Figure 29: Configuration Tab .....................................................................................48
Figure 30: Calibration Curve Sub-Tab.........................................................................51
Figure 31: A Relative Gain Sub-Tab ............................................................................54

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Part I: Hardware
1.0 Product Description
1.1 Introduction
The UHSAS is an optical-scattering, laser-based aerosol particle spectrometer system for sizing
particles in the 0.06 – 1 µm range. The instrument, which is pictured in Figure 1, counts particles
in up to 100 user-specified sizing bins.
The UHSAS is also available as an airborne instrument. Both airborne and ground-based versions
can be ordered with two additional features: bidirectional and particle-by-particle capabilities.
The bidirectional feature allows another computer to have limited control of the UHSAS and use
the instrument to acquire data. The particle-by-particle feature allows the UHSAS to generate
additional output data, specifically information on the size and inter-particle time of individual
particles. Documentation on these features is available in UHSAS: Bidirectional Option Appendix
(DOC-0240) and UHSAS: Particle-by-Particle (PbP) Option Appendix (DOC-0241).
Figure 1: The UHSAS

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1.2 Specifications and Features
Technique:
Aerosol spectrometry
Auxiliary Parameters:
Temperature
Pressure
Derived Parameters:
Particle diameter
Number Concentration Range:
3,000 per second
Particle Size Range:
0.06 – 1 µm
Aerosol Medium:
Air, 0 - 30 °C (32 - 86°F)
Counting Efficiency:
99%
Lasers:
•Solid-state N
d
3+:Y LiF
4
: ~1054 nm, 1 kW/cm2
intracavity circulating power
•Pump Laser: ~797 nm, 1.6 W.
Number of size bins:
100 max:
•99 standard bins (98 if both overflow and
underflow are enabled)
•One overflow bin and one underflow bin
Flow Range:
•Standard sample flow: 1 – 100 Sccm
(typically 50); other options available.
•Sheath airflow setting: 700 ccm at sea-level,
590 Sccm in Boulder, CO
Flow Control:
Controlled from software; can also be manually
adjusted via mass or volume flow controller
Routine Maintenance:
Daily:
•PSL size check to monitor laser power
•Zero check with high-efficiency filtered air
sample
Monthly and around field campaigns:
•Full-scale calibration Annually:
•Flow controller calibration
Recommended Service:
Annual cleaning and calibration at DMT service
facility
Data Recording:
•Output file written to computer hard drive
•Output data sent to serial port (optional)

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1.3 Electrical Specifications
Power Requirements:
100-240 VAC, 47-63 Hz, 200W
Fuse:
BUSS fuse, GMA-2A
1.4 Physical Specifications
Size:
56 x 43 x 24 cm
Weight:
31 kg
1.5 Operating Limits
Temperature:
0 to 30 °C
Altitude:
Sea level to 4 km
Relative humidity:
Non-condensing