Imaging micrometer-sized aerosol particles with digital holography

Small particles that are trapped, deposited, or otherwise fixed can be imaged by digital holography with a resolution approaching that of optical microscopy. When such particles are in motion as an aerosol, a comparable resolution is challenging to achieve. Using a simplified bi-telecentric lens system, we demonstrate that 1µm free-flowing aerosol particles can be imaged at the single-particle level using digital in-line holography. The imaging is demonstrated with an aerosol of 1µm polystyrene latex microspheres and a ragweed pollen aerosol.