Über die orientierung und den dynamischen formfaktor von kettenförmigen aerosolteilchen in ladungsspektrometern

Electron microscopic inspection of chain aggregates of submicron latex spheres deposited in a change spectrometer reveals a preferred orientation of the chain aggregates with their polar axis almost perpendicular to the sampling surface. It is concluded that the polar axis of the aggregates tends towards a position parallel to the electric field while the aggregates move along the field lines during precipitation. This conclusion is supported by the measurement of the dynamic shape factors of the aggregates. The values are slightly higher than theoretical ones available for prolate spheroids of corresponding elongation and orientation. Analogous results are known from a study of centrifugal precipitation where the motion of the chain aggregates tends to be perpendicular to their polar axis. This explains why dynamic shape factors of chain aggregates as obtained in centrifugal and electrical precipitation experiments are significantly different. Values are given for chain aggregates containing up to eight spheres.