Full-field diffraction particle sizing

A particle-sizing technique that retrieves the size of particles by analysis of the far-field diffraction pattern their images produce has been developed. The technique consists of capturing images of particles, interrogating the images, and inverting the resulting data to yield particle-size distributions. The technique acquires spatially resolved size information that is especially useful in analyzing transient sprays. Dense groups of particles do not appear to hinder the performance of the technique. The technique is implemented to study diesel sprays. Both detailed spatially resolved size information and general size trends are obtained.