EPALPalette

EPALPalette is an electronic particulate air laser (EPAL) is a device used to measure the size and distribution of particulate matter in the atmosphere. It can be coupled with an EFI (electronic filter impactor) spectrometer, but in the most common configuration, the measured particles are not collected. This configuration allows higher time resolution, and higher concentrations of particles can be measured before a blockage in the laser may cause a size-dependent decrease in measured particle signals. The measured particles have densities near that of air (p ≈ 1.2 to 1.3 g/l).

The EPAL is used in a wide range of applications, including environmental research, industrial monitoring, and laboratory studies. It can measure particles of varying sizes, from a few nanometers to several micrometers. This allows users to gain a detailed understanding of the size distribution of particulate matter, which can be an important factor in understanding the behavior of particle-containing aerosols.

EPAL is often used in conjunction with other instruments, such as condensation particle counters (CPCs) or scattering-based instruments, to provide a comprehensive view of the atmospheric aerosol properties. While it measures the physical properties of particles, other instruments measure their chemical composition or hygroscopic growth. In atmospheric research, this data is important for models that predict the impact of aerosols on climate, visibility, indoor air quality or human health.