A simple turbulent mixing CNC for charged particle detection down to 1.2 nm

A simple modification of the turbulent mixing condensation nucleus counter (CNC) of Okuyama et al. enables it to grow positively charged particles/ions with diameters smaller than 1.2 nm (1.7 nm mobility diameter) into visible drops. The design is simpler than its predecessor of Gamero and Fernandez de la Mora and has lower inlet losses, though the activation efficiency curve for monodisperse particles exhibits two steps, leading to an inferior resolution when the CNC is used as a particle sizer. Successful activation of such small objects by dibutyl phthalate vapor condensation is highly dependent on achieving good thermal control in the sections of the CNC prior to and including the mixing point.