Apparatus for real-time size and speed measurements of blow-off particulates from pulsed irradiation experiments

The authors have constructed an apparatus capable of detecting micron-sized particles traveling at speeds up to 10⁶ cm/s. The apparatus uses light scattering methods with automated data processing. Data generated by this apparatus should be extremely useful in radiation damage studies of components in contamination-sensitive optical systems. It is demonstrated that light scattering is a practical way to measure the size and speed of blow-off particulates following pulsed radiation events. Fast digital oscilloscope traces from this real-time particle monitoring system demonstrate that micron-scale particles are ejected from solid surfaces at speeds comparable to the front face velocity of the target material