Evaporation kinetics of a non-spherical, levitated aerosol particle using optical resonance spectroscopy for precision sizing

We describe how a time series of optical resonance spectra of an evaporating, non-spherical, irregular aerosol particle levitated in an electrodynamic balance exhibits patterns which are related to its evaporation kinetics. Simulated spectra of an evaporating, model aerosol particle show comparable features. If these patterns are used to deduce the particle size change with time, the resulting vapor pressures and enthalpies of vaporization compare favorably with literature data for both crystalline ammonium nitrate and succinic acid particles.