Abstract:
We study the light scattering by aerosol particles and air in the photometer of the molecular condensation nuclei, as well as the sensitivity of the photodector of the photometer. The interference nature of light scattering by aerosol particles is established and is found to be comparable (in order of magnitude) with the scattering of light by air in the photometer. The sensitivity of the photometer can be increased by more than an order of magnitude due to optimization of the optoelectronic part of the photometer. The detection threshold for the target component of the gas analyzer is attained at the spontaneous ionization background level and not at the limiting sensitivity level of the photodetector.