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Title: Optical fiber measurements of particle concentration in dense suspensions: calibration and simulation

Journal Article · · Applied Optics; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1364/AO.31.005106· OSTI ID:7009548
;  [1]
  1. Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853 (United States)

A fiber-optic sensor that measures the particle volume fraction in dense suspensions is calibrated against a quantitative capacitance probe. For homogeneous, dense, random suspensions of smooth, monodisperse, transparent dielectric spheres, the calibration is simulated by using a ray-tracing Monte Carlo algorithm that predicts systematic uncertainties of the sensor's output, the extent of its measurement volume, and the effects of changing its optical properties. The simulation shows that the output and accuracy of the sensor increase with a decreasing sphere diameter and with an increasing N.A. of the fiber. The output also increases when the ratio of the indices of refraction of the sphere and the suspending medium is increased. For small particles the measurement volume scales as the average interparticle distance.

DOE Contract Number:
AC22-88PC88947
OSTI ID:
7009548
Journal Information:
Applied Optics; (United States), Vol. 31:24; ISSN 0003-6935
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English