March 9, 2007, Irvine, CA--Horiba has introduced a second generation of its laser-diffraction particle-size analyzer, the Partica LA-950. A redesign of a number of components has strengthened capabilities in speed, dynamic range, accuracy, and precision. The instrument can measure the particle size and range of dry powders as well as particles in liquid solutions.
The Partica LA-950 quantifies the diffraction pattern produced as a laser beam scatters off sample particles; an analysis of the diffraction pattern results in not only the average size, but the range of particle sizes as well.
A number of customer requests have been incorporated into the system design to make the sample system change faster, improve sampling-system accessibility, and broaden the range of accessories available. In fact, samples can be switched in and out of the measurement chamber in a matter of seconds.
The instrument offers the widest measurement range (0.01 to 3000µm), fastest analysis time (one minute sample-to-sample), and most powerful sample dispersion systems available, according to Horiba. Demonstrated at Pittcon 2007 (Chicago, NY; February 27 to March 4), the particle analyzer drew a positive response; in particular, the ease at which samples can be swapped in and out became very apparent.