Review of sub-3 nm condensation particle counters, calibrations, and cluster generation methods

This review discusses the developments in aerosol instrumentation that have led to the current vapor condensation based instruments capable of detecting sub-3 nm particles. We begin from selected reports prior to the year 1991, which have advanced the technology or understanding in condensation particle counting toward sub-3 nm sizes, and continue to more in depth review of the past efforts after 1991. We discuss how the developments in the calibration methods have progressed the development of particle counting techniques, and review briefly the sub-3 nm calibration experiments and cluster production methods used in calibration experiments. Based on these reviews, we identify several technological and scientific advances for the future to improve the accuracy, understanding, and technology of sub-3 nm particle counting. Copyright (c) 2019 American Association for Aerosol Research