Framåtspridningssensorer

Framåtspridningssensorer, known in English as forward scattering sensors, are devices used to detect the presence and intensity of particles in a medium. They operate by emitting a beam of light and measuring the light that is scattered forward by particles present in the medium. This scattered light is then detected by a receiver positioned at a specific angle relative to the light source. The intensity of the scattered light is proportional to the size and concentration of the particles.

These sensors are commonly employed in various applications, including air quality monitoring, industrial process control, and medical diagnostics. In environmental sensing, they can be used to measure particulate matter in the air, providing data for pollution assessment and forecasting. In industrial settings, they can monitor dust levels in manufacturing processes or detect leaks in pipelines by sensing the dispersed material. In medicine, forward scattering sensors can be utilized in flow cytometry to analyze cells based on their size and internal complexity.

The principle behind framåtspridningssensorer relies on Mie scattering theory, which describes how light interacts with particles. The forward scattering pattern is particularly sensitive to the size of the particles. By analyzing the angular distribution and intensity of the scattered light, information about the particle size distribution can be inferred. Different sensor designs exist, varying in the wavelength of light used, the geometry of the emitter and detector, and the sophistication of the signal processing algorithms employed to interpret the scattered light data. Their ability to provide real-time, non-invasive measurements makes them valuable tools across a range of scientific and industrial fields.