JP6065127B2 - Data processing device for particle size distribution measurement, particle size distribution measuring device equipped with the same, data processing method for particle size distribution measurement, and data processing program for particle size distribution measurement - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention includes a data processing device for particle size distribution measurement for generating particle size distribution data based on light intensity distribution data obtained by receiving diffraction scattered light from a sample with a plurality of light receiving elements, and the same. The present invention relates to a particle size distribution measuring apparatus, a particle size distribution measuring data processing method, and a particle size distribution measuring data processing program.

  A particle size distribution measuring apparatus for generating particle size distribution data by measuring the relationship between the particle size and the particle amount of a particle group contained in a sample is known (for example, see Patent Document 1 below). In this type of particle size distribution measuring apparatus, the diffraction scattered light of the light irradiated on the sample is received by a plurality of light receiving elements, and the light intensity distribution data obtained thereby is calculated using a refractive index. Particle size distribution data can be generated.

  The refractive index as described above is generally preset by an operator. In order to obtain accurate particle size distribution data, it is necessary to set the refractive index accurately. However, if the operator does not know the refractive index, it is difficult to set the refractive index accurately. Even if the operator obtains the refractive index according to the particle material from the literature, the diffraction scattered light changes even if the refractive index is the same depending on the particle shape, etc. It is not always accurate.

  In view of this, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2004-228620 proposes a technique for performing calculation using a plurality of refractive indexes for one light intensity distribution data and automatically determining a refractive index range. Specifically, by performing calculation using a plurality of refractive indexes for one light intensity distribution data, the particle size distribution data corresponding to each refractive index is converted, and then the particle size distribution data is converted into the light intensity distribution. The refractive index range is automatically determined based on the degree of coincidence between the inversely converted light intensity distribution data and the original light intensity distribution data.

JP 2010-101653 A

  However, in the conventional method as described above, since the calculation is performed using one light intensity distribution data obtained by one measurement, the optimum refractive index range is surely determined. Not limited to this, when the same sample is measured a plurality of times, different refractive index ranges may be determined.

  That is, when a sample is introduced into the particle size distribution measuring apparatus and measurement is performed a plurality of times using the sample, the refractive index range determined by each measurement may be different. In addition, when the same sample is replaced with a particle size distribution measuring device, the refractive index range determined by the measurement may be different.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a data processing device for particle size distribution measurement capable of determining a more optimal refractive index, a particle size distribution measuring device including the same, and data for particle size distribution measurement An object is to provide a processing method and a data processing program for particle size distribution measurement.

The particle size distribution measuring apparatus according to the present invention includes a data input receiving unit, a particle size distribution data generating unit, a refractive index determining unit, and a data comparing unit . The data input receiving unit receives input of a plurality of light intensity distribution data obtained by receiving diffraction scattered light from the same sample a plurality of times by a plurality of light receiving elements. The particle size distribution data generation unit generates particle size distribution data corresponding to each refractive index by performing an operation using a plurality of refractive indexes on the plurality of light intensity distribution data. The refractive index determination unit determines an optimal refractive index based on a plurality of refractive indexes used when generating particle size distribution data. The particle size distribution data generation unit performs a calculation using a plurality of common refractive indexes on the plurality of light intensity distribution data, thereby obtaining a particle size corresponding to the plurality of refractive indexes for each light intensity distribution data. Generate distribution data. The data comparison unit performs a process of comparing particle size distribution data calculated from different light intensity distribution data using a common refractive index for each of the plurality of refractive indexes for all refractive indexes. The refractive index determination unit determines an optimum refractive index from the plurality of refractive indexes based on a comparison result by the data comparison unit.

According to such a configuration, particle size distribution data corresponding to each refractive index is generated by performing calculations using a plurality of refractive indexes on a plurality of light intensity distribution data obtained from the same sample. The optimum refractive index can be determined based on the plurality of refractive indexes used at that time. Thus, a more optimal refractive index can be determined by determining the refractive index based on a plurality of light intensity distribution data instead of a single light intensity distribution data. In addition, the calculation using a plurality of common refractive indexes is performed on a plurality of light intensity distribution data, and by comparing each particle size distribution data generated thereby, it is optimal from a plurality of refractive indexes. The refractive index can be determined. At this time, the particle size distribution data calculated from different light intensity distribution data using a common refractive index are compared, and for example, the refractive index used when generating the particle size distribution data having the highest degree of coincidence is used as the optimum refractive index. Therefore, a more optimal refractive index can be determined.

The particle size distribution data generation unit calculates the plurality of light intensity distribution data using a plurality of refractive indexes selected by extracting a refractive index at predetermined intervals within a predetermined numerical range. By performing the above, particle size distribution data corresponding to the plurality of refractive indexes may be generated for each light intensity distribution data.

  According to such a configuration, for example, calculation is performed on a plurality of light intensity distribution data using only a plurality of refractive indexes selected within a predetermined numerical range according to components in the sample. The optimum refractive index can be determined based on the plurality of refractive indexes used in the above. Since the numerical range of the refractive index is determined to some extent depending on the components in the sample, the optimum refractive index can be efficiently determined by using only a plurality of refractive indexes selected within the numerical range.

The particle size distribution measuring device further includes a refractive index calculation unit that automatically calculates a refractive index corresponding to each of the plurality of light intensity distribution data based on the particle size distribution data generated by the particle size distribution data generation unit. May be. In this case, the particle size distribution data generation unit again uses the plurality of refractive indexes including the refractive index corresponding to each light intensity distribution data calculated by the refractive index calculation unit to convert the plurality of light intensity distribution data. On the other hand, particle size distribution data corresponding to the plurality of refractive indexes may be generated for each light intensity distribution data by performing an operation on the data.

  According to such a configuration, calculation is performed on a plurality of light intensity distribution data using only a plurality of refractive indexes including a refractive index corresponding to each light intensity distribution data calculated automatically, and used at that time. An optimum refractive index can be determined based on a plurality of refractive indexes. By automatically calculating the refractive index, the value of the refractive index can be narrowed down to some extent, so that the optimum refractive index can be efficiently determined from them.

  A particle size distribution measuring apparatus according to the present invention includes a light source that irradiates a sample with light, a plurality of light receiving elements that receive diffraction scattered light from the sample, and the data processing apparatus for particle size distribution measurement.

The particle size distribution data processing method according to the present invention includes a data input reception step, a particle size distribution data generation step, a refractive index determination step, and a data comparison step . In the data input receiving step, input of a plurality of light intensity distribution data obtained by receiving diffraction scattered light from the same sample by a plurality of light receiving elements a plurality of times is received. In the particle size distribution data generation step, particle size distribution data corresponding to each refractive index is generated by performing an operation using a plurality of refractive indexes on the plurality of light intensity distribution data. In the refractive index determination step, an optimum refractive index is determined based on a plurality of refractive indexes used when generating the particle size distribution data. In the particle size distribution data generation step, the particle size corresponding to the plurality of refractive indexes for each light intensity distribution data by performing an operation using a plurality of common refractive indexes for the plurality of light intensity distribution data. Generate distribution data. In the data comparison step, for each of the plurality of refractive indexes, a process of comparing particle size distribution data calculated from different light intensity distribution data using a common refractive index is performed for all refractive indexes. In the refractive index determination step, an optimum refractive index is determined from the plurality of refractive indexes based on the comparison result in the data comparison step.

The particle size distribution data processing program according to the present invention includes a data input receiving unit, and the particle size distribution data generating unit, and a refractive index determination unit, causes the computer to function as the data comparator. The data input receiving unit receives input of a plurality of light intensity distribution data obtained by receiving diffraction scattered light from the same sample a plurality of times by a plurality of light receiving elements. The particle size distribution data generation unit generates particle size distribution data corresponding to each refractive index by performing an operation using a plurality of refractive indexes on the plurality of light intensity distribution data. In the refractive index determination, an optimum refractive index is determined based on a plurality of refractive indexes used when generating the particle size distribution data. The particle size distribution data generation unit performs a calculation using a plurality of common refractive indexes on the plurality of light intensity distribution data, thereby obtaining a particle size corresponding to the plurality of refractive indexes for each light intensity distribution data. Generate distribution data. The data comparison unit performs a process of comparing particle size distribution data calculated from different light intensity distribution data using a common refractive index for each of the plurality of refractive indexes for all refractive indexes. The refractive index determination unit determines an optimum refractive index from the plurality of refractive indexes based on a comparison result by the data comparison unit.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to determine a more optimal refractive index by determining the refractive index based on a plurality of light intensity distribution data instead of a single light intensity distribution data.

It is the figure which showed the structural example of the particle size distribution measuring apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the specific structure of the data processor of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the aspect at the time of producing | generating particle size distribution data. It is the flowchart which showed an example of the process by the control part at the time of determining a refractive index. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the specific structure of the data processor which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the process of calculating a refractive index automatically in 2nd Embodiment. It is the flowchart which showed an example of the process by the control part in 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the specific structure of the data processor which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the process which calculates the average value of a refractive index in 3rd Embodiment. It is the flowchart which showed an example of the process by the control part in 3rd Embodiment. It is the flowchart which showed an example of the process by the control part of the data processor which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a particle size distribution measuring apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. This particle size distribution measuring apparatus is for generating particle size distribution data by measuring the relationship between the particle size and the amount of particles of a particle group contained in a sample, and is a measuring unit 1 for measuring a sample. It has.

  The measurement unit 1 includes a light source 11, a condensing lens 12, a spatial filter 13, a collimator lens 14, a flow cell 15, a condensing lens 16, a photodiode array 17, and the like. A sample to be measured is supplied to the flow cell 15 from a supply source such as a circulation sampler 2 in which an ultrasonic transducer is incorporated.

  The light source 11 is composed of, for example, a laser light source, and the measurement light emitted from the light source 11 passes through the condenser lens 12, the spatial filter 13, and the collimator lens 14 to become parallel light. The measurement light thus converted into parallel light is applied to the flow cell 15 to which the sample is supplied, diffracted and scattered by the particle group included in the sample in the flow cell 15, and then passed through the condenser lens 16 to obtain a photo. Light is received by the diode array 17.

  The photodiode array 17 constitutes a detector for detecting diffracted and scattered light from the sample. In the photodiode array 17, a plurality of (for example, 64) light receiving elements in which ring-shaped or semi-ring-shaped detection surfaces having different radii are formed are arranged concentrically around the optical axis of the condenser lens 16. Thus, light having a diffraction scattering angle corresponding to each position is incident on each light receiving element. Therefore, the detection signal of each light receiving element of the photodiode array 17 represents the intensity of light at each diffraction scattering angle.

  The detection signals of the respective light receiving elements of the photodiode array 17 are converted from analog signals to digital signals by the A / D converter 3 and then input to the data processing device 5 via the communication unit 4. . As a result, light intensity distribution data in which the element number of each light receiving element of the photodiode array 17 is associated with the detected intensity in each light receiving element is input to the data processing device 5.

  The data processing device 5 constitutes a data processing device for particle size distribution measurement for processing data when measuring the particle size distribution of the sample. The data processing device 5 is configured by a computer, for example, and includes a control unit 51, an operation unit 52, a display unit 53, a storage unit 54, and the like.

  The control unit 51 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and each unit such as an operation unit 52, a display unit 53, and a storage unit 54 is electrically connected. The operation unit 52 includes, for example, a keyboard and a mouse, and the user can perform input work and the like by operating the operation unit 52.

  The display unit 53 can be configured by a liquid crystal display, for example, and the user can perform work while confirming the display content of the display unit 53. The storage unit 54 can be configured by, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a hard disk, and the like.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining a specific configuration of the data processing device 5 of FIG. In the present embodiment, the control unit 51 includes a data input reception unit 511, a particle size distribution data generation unit 512, a refractive index selection unit 513, a data comparison unit 514, a refractive index determination unit 515, and a display process when the CPU executes a program. It functions as the unit 516 or the like.

  A light intensity distribution data storage unit 541 and a particle size distribution data storage unit 542 are allocated to the storage unit 54. The light intensity distribution data storage unit 541 stores light intensity distribution data input from the measurement unit 1. The control unit 51 generates a plurality of particle size distribution data based on the plurality of light intensity distribution data stored in the light intensity distribution data storage unit 541, and stores the particle size distribution data in the particle size distribution data storage unit 542. Let

  In the present embodiment, a plurality of light intensity distribution data is obtained by performing measurement a plurality of times by the measurement unit 1. Specifically, an operation of introducing a sample into the circulation sampler 2 and performing measurement a plurality of times (for example, three times) using the sample is performed a plurality of times (for example, by replacing the same sample with the circulation sampler 2). 3 times) Repeatedly. As a result, diffracted and scattered light from the same sample is received by the light receiving elements of the photodiode array 17 a plurality of times, and a plurality (9 in this example) of light intensity distribution data is stored in the light intensity distribution data storage unit 541. The

  The data input receiving unit 511 receives input of a plurality of light intensity distribution data stored in the light intensity distribution data storage unit 541 when generating the particle size distribution data. The particle size distribution data generation unit 512 generates particle size distribution data corresponding to each refractive index by performing a calculation using a plurality of refractive indexes on the plurality of light intensity distribution data. The generated plurality of particle size distribution data is stored in the particle size distribution data storage unit 542.

  The refractive index selection unit 513 selects a plurality of refractive indexes used when the particle size distribution data generation unit 512 generates the particle size distribution data. In this embodiment, the refractive index selection unit 513 selects a plurality of refractive indexes within a predetermined numerical range, and the particle size distribution data generation unit 512 generates particle size distribution data using these refractive indexes. ing.

  The refractive index selection unit 513 can select a plurality of refractive indexes by, for example, extracting the refractive index at predetermined intervals within the above numerical range. The numerical range may be, for example, a numerical range input by operating the operation unit 52 or a numerical range determined based on a component in the sample input by operating the operating unit 52. Good.

When generating the particle size distribution data, the relationship of the following formula (1) can be used.

Here, s, q, and A are represented by the following formulas (2) to (4).

The s is light intensity distribution data (vector). Each element s _i (i = 1, 2,..., M) in s is each light receiving element of the photodiode array 17, a side scattered light sensor, and a back scattered light sensor (both not shown) Is the detected intensity.

The q is particle size distribution data (vector) expressed as a frequency distribution%. When the particle size range to be measured (maximum particle size is x ₁ , minimum particle size is x _{n + 1} ) is divided into n and each particle size interval is [x _j , x _{j + 1} ], each element q _{j in} q above (J = 1, 2,..., N) is the amount of particles corresponding to each particle diameter section [x _j , x _{j + 1} ].

Usually, a volume standard is used, and normalization is performed so that the following formula (5) is satisfied, that is, the total of each element q _j is 100%.

A is a coefficient matrix for converting the particle size distribution data q into the light intensity distribution data s. Each element a _{i, j} (i = 1, 2,..., M, j = 1, 2,..., N) in A is a unit belonging to each particle diameter section [x _j , x _{j + 1} ]. This is the detected intensity at the i-th element of light diffracted and scattered by a particle group having a particle amount.

The value of each element a _{i, j in} A can be theoretically calculated in advance using the refractive index. For example, when the particle diameter is sufficiently larger than the wavelength of the measurement light from the light source 11 (for example, 10 times or more), it can be calculated using Fraunhofer diffraction theory. On the other hand, when the particle diameter is about the same as or smaller than the wavelength of the measurement light from the light source 11, it can be calculated using Mie scattering theory.

Thus, if the value of each element a _{i, j in} A is obtained, the particle size distribution data q can be obtained by the following equation (6) based on the equation (1). Where ^AT is a transposed matrix of A.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an aspect when generating particle size distribution data. As shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, calculation using a plurality of common refractive indexes A, B, C,... Is performed for a plurality of light intensity distribution data a, b,. As a result, particle size distribution data corresponding to a plurality of refractive indexes A, B, C... Is generated for each light intensity distribution data a, b,.

  The data comparison unit 514 compares the particle size distribution data calculated from different light intensity distribution data using a common refractive index. In the example of FIG. 3, the particle size distribution data a-1, b-1,... Calculated from different light intensity distribution data a, b,. Similarly, particle size distribution data a-2, b-2,... Calculated from different light intensity distribution data a, b,... Using a common refractive index B are compared with each other, and a common refractive index is obtained. The particle size distribution data a-3, b-3,... Calculated from the different light intensity distribution data a, b,. Such processing is performed for all the refractive indexes A, B, C.

  Thereafter, the refractive index determination unit 515 determines an optimum refractive index based on the plurality of refractive indexes A, B, C... Used when generating the particle size distribution data. At this time, an optimum refractive index can be determined from a plurality of refractive indexes A, B, C... Based on the comparison result by the data comparison unit 514. For example, if the data comparison unit 514 is configured to calculate the degree of coincidence between the particle size distribution data to be compared, the refractive index used when generating the particle size distribution data having the highest degree of coincidence is set to the optimum refraction. What is necessary is just to determine as a rate.

  The display processing unit 516 controls display on the display unit 53. The display processing unit 516 may cause the display unit 53 to display the optimal refractive index determined by the refractive index determination unit 515, and display the particle size distribution data corresponding to the determined optimal refractive index on the display unit 53. It may be displayed.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing performed by the control unit 51 when determining the refractive index. When determining the refractive index, first, each light intensity distribution data obtained from the same sample is input from the light intensity distribution data storage unit 541 (step S101: data input receiving step). Then, particle size distribution data corresponding to each refractive index is generated by performing calculation using a plurality of refractive indexes for each light intensity distribution data (step S102: particle size distribution data generation step).

  Thereafter, the particle size distribution data calculated from the different light intensity distribution data using a common refractive index are compared (step S103: data comparison step). As a result, the particle size distribution data having the highest degree of coincidence is identified (step S104), and the refractive index used when generating the particle size distribution data is determined as the optimum refractive index (step S105: refractive index determination step). ).

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of refractive indexes A, B, C,... Are obtained for a plurality of light intensity distribution data a, b,. By performing the calculation used, particle size distribution data corresponding to each refractive index A, B, C... Is generated, and optimum based on a plurality of refractive indexes A, B, C. The refractive index can be determined. As described above, by determining the refractive index based on a plurality of light intensity distribution data a, b,... Instead of one light intensity distribution data, a more optimal refractive index can be determined.

  Further, in the present embodiment, calculation is performed on a plurality of light intensity distribution data a, b,... Using a plurality of common refractive indexes A, B, C. By comparing the respective particle size distribution data, an optimum refractive index can be determined from among a plurality of refractive indexes A, B, C. At this time, the particle size distribution data calculated from different light intensity distribution data using a common refractive index is compared, and the refractive index used when generating the particle size distribution data having the highest degree of coincidence is set to the optimum refractive index. By determining, a more optimal refractive index can be determined.

  In particular, in this embodiment, for example, a plurality of light intensity distribution data using only a plurality of refractive indexes A, B, C... Selected within a predetermined numerical range according to, for example, components in the sample. .. are calculated, and an optimum refractive index can be determined based on a plurality of refractive indexes A, B, C... used at that time. Since the numerical range of the refractive index is determined to some extent according to the components in the sample, the optimum refractive index can be efficiently obtained by using only a plurality of refractive indexes A, B, C... Selected within the numerical range. Can be well determined.

Second Embodiment
FIG. 5 is a block diagram for explaining a specific configuration of the data processing device 5 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the control unit 51 executes a program executed by the CPU, so that the data input reception unit 511, the particle size distribution data generation unit 512, the data comparison unit 514, the refractive index determination unit 515, the display processing unit 516, and the refractive index calculation. It functions as the section 517 and the like.

  The data input reception unit 511, the data comparison unit 514, the refractive index determination unit 515, the display processing unit 516, the data stored in the light intensity distribution data storage unit 541 and the particle size distribution data storage unit 542, etc. This is the same as in the first embodiment. Therefore, about the same structure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to a figure and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The particle size distribution data generation unit 512 performs a calculation using a plurality of refractive indexes on a plurality of light intensity distribution data received from the light intensity distribution data storage unit 541 by the data input reception unit 511. Thus, particle size distribution data corresponding to each refractive index is generated. At this time, by using the relationship of the above formula (6), the particle size distribution data can be generated in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

  The refractive index calculation unit 517 automatically calculates a refractive index corresponding to each of the plurality of light intensity distribution data based on the particle size distribution data generated by the particle size distribution data generation unit 512. Specifically, by using the same coefficient matrix A as the coefficient matrix A corresponding to each refractive index when generating the particle size distribution data, the relationship of the above formula (1) is used to convert each particle size distribution data into light. It converts into intensity distribution data, and compares the converted light intensity distribution data with the original light intensity distribution data. As a result, the refractive index corresponding to the coefficient matrix A used when converting the light intensity distribution data having the highest degree of coincidence is automatically calculated as the refractive index corresponding to the light intensity distribution data.

  The particle size distribution data generation unit 512 uses the refractive index corresponding to each light intensity distribution data calculated by the refractive index calculation unit 517 to perform an operation on each light intensity distribution data again, thereby obtaining each refractive index. Generate particle size distribution data corresponding to. Also in this case, by using the relationship of the above formula (6), the particle size distribution data can be generated in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The generated plurality of particle size distribution data is stored in the particle size distribution data storage unit 542.

  However, the particle size distribution data generation unit 512 is not limited to a configuration that generates particle size distribution data using only the refractive index corresponding to each light intensity distribution data calculated by the refractive index calculation unit 517. That is, the particle size distribution data generation unit 512 uses a plurality of refractive indexes including a refractive index corresponding to each light intensity distribution data calculated by the refractive index calculation unit 517 and other refractive indexes, to obtain particle size distribution data. May be configured to generate.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a process of automatically calculating the refractive index in the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, in the present embodiment, light intensity distribution data a is obtained by performing calculations using a plurality of refractive indexes for a plurality of light intensity distribution data a, b,. , B,..., Particle size distribution data corresponding to a plurality of refractive indexes is generated.

  Then, the generated particle size distribution data is converted by using each refractive index when generating the particle size distribution data, and the converted light intensity distribution data and the original light intensity distribution data a and b are converted. , ... are compared. Based on the comparison result, the refractive indexes A, B,... Corresponding to the light intensity distribution data a, b,. Here, A ′, A ″, and the like represent refractive index candidates that are used as comparison targets when the optimum refractive index A is automatically found from the light intensity distribution data a. Similarly, B ′, B ″, etc. This is a candidate for a refractive index to be compared when automatically finding the optimum refractive index B from the light intensity distribution data b.

  The refractive indexes A, B,... Automatically calculated in this way are used for processing by the particle size distribution data generation unit 512. The particle size distribution data generation unit 512 generates particle size distribution data in the same manner as in FIG. 3 using the refractive indexes A, B,. Then, the data comparison unit 514 compares the particle size distribution data in the same manner as in FIG. 3, and the refractive index used when generating the particle size distribution data having the highest degree of coincidence is optimized by the refractive index determination unit 515. The refractive index is determined.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing by the control unit 51 in the second embodiment. First, each light intensity distribution data obtained from the same sample is input from the light intensity distribution data storage unit 541 (step S201: data input receiving step). Then, particle size distribution data corresponding to each refractive index is generated by performing calculation using a plurality of refractive indexes for each light intensity distribution data (step S202: particle size distribution data generation step).

  After that, each particle size distribution data is converted, and the converted light intensity distribution data is compared with the original light intensity distribution data, so that the refractive index corresponding to each light intensity distribution data is automatically calculated based on the comparison result. (Step S203: Refractive index calculation step). The subsequent processing is the same as the processing after step S102 in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, by determining the refractive index based on a plurality of light intensity distribution data a, b,. The rate can be determined. Similar to the first embodiment, the particle size distribution data calculated from different light intensity distribution data using a common refractive index are compared, and the refraction used when generating the particle size distribution data having the highest degree of coincidence. By determining the refractive index to be an optimal refractive index, a more optimal refractive index can be determined.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, a plurality of light intensity distribution data a using only a plurality of refractive indexes A, B,... Corresponding to the light intensity distribution data a, b,. , B,..., And an optimum refractive index can be determined based on the plurality of refractive indexes A, B,. By automatically calculating the refractive indexes A, B,..., The refractive index value can be narrowed down to some extent, so that the optimum refractive index can be efficiently determined from them.

<Third Embodiment>
FIG. 8 is a block diagram for explaining a specific configuration of the data processing device 5 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The control unit 51 in the present embodiment functions as a data input reception unit 511, a particle size distribution data generation unit 512, a refractive index determination unit 515, a display processing unit 516, a refractive index calculation unit 517, and the like when the CPU executes a program. To do.

  In the present embodiment, the refractive index determination unit 515 determines an average value of refractive indexes corresponding to each light intensity distribution data calculated by the refractive index calculation unit 517 as an optimal refractive index. The data input reception unit 511, the particle size distribution data generation unit 512, the processing by the display processing unit 516 and the refractive index calculation unit 517, the data stored in the light intensity distribution data storage unit 541 and the particle size distribution data storage unit 542, etc. Is the same as in the case of the second embodiment. Therefore, about the same structure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to a figure and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the process of calculating the average value of the refractive index in the third embodiment. In this embodiment, similarly to the case of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 6, calculations using a plurality of refractive indexes are performed on a plurality of light intensity distribution data a, b,. The generated particle size distribution data is converted, and the converted light intensity distribution data is compared with the original light intensity distribution data a, b,. Refractive indexes A, B,... Corresponding to the data a, b,. Here, A ′, A ″, and the like represent refractive index candidates that are used as comparison targets when the optimum refractive index A is automatically found from the light intensity distribution data a. Similarly, B ′, B ″, etc. This is a candidate for a refractive index to be compared when automatically finding the optimum refractive index B from the light intensity distribution data b.

  The refractive indexes A, B,... Automatically calculated in this way are used for processing by the refractive index determining unit 515. In this embodiment, the refractive index determination unit 515 determines the average value of the refractive indexes A, B,. By automatically calculating the refractive indexes A, B,..., The refractive index values can be narrowed down to some extent. By calculating the average value thereof, the optimum refractive index can be determined efficiently. it can.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing by the control unit 51 in the third embodiment. First, each light intensity distribution data obtained from the same sample is input from the light intensity distribution data storage unit 541 (step S301: data input receiving step). Then, particle size distribution data corresponding to each refractive index is generated by performing calculation using a plurality of refractive indexes for each light intensity distribution data (step S302: particle size distribution data generation step).

  After that, each particle size distribution data is converted, and the converted light intensity distribution data is compared with the original light intensity distribution data, so that the refractive index corresponding to each light intensity distribution data is automatically calculated based on the comparison result. (Step S303: Refractive index calculation step). And the average value of the refractive index corresponding to each light intensity distribution data calculated automatically is calculated, and the average value is determined as the optimal refractive index (step S304: refractive index determination step).

<Fourth embodiment>
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the control unit 51 of the data processing device 5 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, only the processing by the refractive index determination unit 515 is different from the third embodiment, and the other processing and configuration are the same as those of the third embodiment.

  In this embodiment, first, each light intensity distribution data obtained from the same sample is input from the light intensity distribution data storage unit 541 (step S401: data input reception step). Then, particle size distribution data corresponding to each refractive index is generated by performing calculation using a plurality of refractive indexes for each light intensity distribution data (step S402: particle size distribution data generation step).

  After that, each particle size distribution data is converted, and the converted light intensity distribution data is compared with the original light intensity distribution data, so that the refractive index corresponding to each light intensity distribution data is automatically calculated based on the comparison result. (Step S403: Refractive index calculation step). Then, among the refractive indexes corresponding to the automatically calculated light intensity distribution data, the refractive index having the highest appearance frequency is determined as the optimal refractive index (step S404: refractive index determination step).

  In this embodiment, since the refractive index value can be narrowed down to some extent by automatically calculating the refractive index, the optimum refractive index can be efficiently obtained by selecting the refractive index having the highest appearance frequency from among them. Can be well determined. Note that the appearance frequency means a ratio calculated as, for example, a refractive index value, and a refractive index value itself with a high calculated ratio may be determined or calculated as an optimal refractive index. An optimum refractive index may be determined within the range of the refractive index having a high ratio.

  In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the data processing device 5 for generating the particle size distribution data is provided in the particle size distribution measuring device has been described. However, the configuration is not limited to such a configuration, and a configuration in which the data processing device 5 is provided separately from the particle size distribution measuring device may be used. In this case, the data output from the measuring unit 1 of the particle size distribution measuring device may be configured to be input to the data processing device 5 via wired communication or wireless communication, or may be a storage medium (not shown). The data may be once stored in () and then input to the data processing device 5 from the storage medium.

  In addition to providing the data processing device for particle size distribution measurement for generating the particle size distribution data, like the data processing device 5 according to the above embodiment, the computer functions as the data processing device for particle size distribution measurement. It is also possible to provide a program (data processing program for particle size distribution measurement) for the purpose. In this case, the program may be provided in a state stored in a storage medium, or may be configured such that the program itself is provided via wired communication or wireless communication. .

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Measurement part 2 Circulating sampler 3 A / D converter 4 Communication part 5 Data processing apparatus 11 Light source 12 Condensing lens 13 Spatial filter 14 Collimator lens 15 Flow cell 16 Condensing lens 17 Photodiode array 51 Control part 52 Operation part 53 Display Unit 54 storage unit 511 data input reception unit 512 particle size distribution data generation unit 513 refractive index selection unit 514 data comparison unit 515 refractive index determination unit 516 display processing unit 517 refractive index calculation unit 541 light intensity distribution data storage unit 542 particle size distribution data storage Part

Claims (6)

A data input receiving unit that receives input of a plurality of light intensity distribution data obtained by receiving diffraction scattered light from the same sample a plurality of times by a plurality of light receiving elements;
A particle size distribution data generation unit that generates particle size distribution data corresponding to each refractive index by performing calculations using a plurality of refractive indexes for the plurality of light intensity distribution data, and
A refractive index determination unit that determines an optimal refractive index based on a plurality of refractive indexes used when generating the particle size distribution data;
The particle size distribution data generation unit performs a calculation using a plurality of common refractive indexes on the plurality of light intensity distribution data, thereby obtaining a particle size corresponding to the plurality of refractive indexes for each light intensity distribution data. To generate distribution data,
For each of the plurality of refractive indexes, further comprising a data comparison unit for performing processing for all refractive indexes, comparing particle size distribution data calculated from different light intensity distribution data using a common refractive index,
A data processing apparatus for particle size distribution measurement, wherein the refractive index determination unit determines an optimum refractive index from the plurality of refractive indexes based on a comparison result by the data comparison unit.   The particle size distribution data generation unit calculates the plurality of light intensity distribution data using a plurality of refractive indexes selected by extracting a refractive index at predetermined intervals within a predetermined numerical range. The particle size distribution measurement data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein particle size distribution data corresponding to the plurality of refractive indexes is generated for each light intensity distribution data. Based on the particle size distribution data generated by the particle size distribution data generation unit, further comprising a refractive index calculation unit that automatically calculates a refractive index corresponding to each of the plurality of light intensity distribution data,
The particle size distribution data generation unit calculates again the plurality of light intensity distribution data using a plurality of refractive indexes including a refractive index corresponding to each light intensity distribution data calculated by the refractive index calculation unit. The particle size distribution measurement data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein particle size distribution data corresponding to the plurality of refractive indexes is generated for each light intensity distribution data. A light source for irradiating the sample with light;
A plurality of light receiving elements for receiving diffraction scattered light from the sample;
A particle size distribution measuring device comprising the data processing device for particle size distribution measurement according to any one of claims 1 to 3 . A data input receiving step for receiving input of a plurality of light intensity distribution data obtained by receiving diffracted and scattered light from the same sample a plurality of times by a plurality of light receiving elements;
A particle size distribution data generation step for generating particle size distribution data corresponding to each refractive index by performing calculations using a plurality of refractive indexes for the plurality of light intensity distribution data,
A refractive index determination step for determining an optimal refractive index based on a plurality of refractive indexes used in generating the particle size distribution data;
The particle size distribution data generation step performs a calculation using a plurality of common refractive indexes on the plurality of light intensity distribution data, thereby obtaining a particle size corresponding to the plurality of refractive indexes for each light intensity distribution data. To generate distribution data,
For each of the plurality of refractive indexes, further comprising a data comparison step for performing processing for all refractive indexes, comparing particle size distribution data calculated from different light intensity distribution data using a common refractive index,
In the refractive index determination step, an optimum refractive index is determined from the plurality of refractive indexes based on the comparison result in the data comparison step, and the data processing method for particle size distribution measurement is characterized. A data input receiving unit that receives input of a plurality of light intensity distribution data obtained by receiving diffraction scattered light from the same sample a plurality of times by a plurality of light receiving elements;
A particle size distribution data generation unit that generates particle size distribution data corresponding to each refractive index by performing calculations using a plurality of refractive indexes for the plurality of light intensity distribution data, and
Based on a plurality of refractive indexes used when generating the particle size distribution data, the computer functions as a refractive index determining unit that determines an optimal refractive index,
The particle size distribution data generation unit performs a calculation using a plurality of common refractive indexes on the plurality of light intensity distribution data, thereby obtaining a particle size corresponding to the plurality of refractive indexes for each light intensity distribution data. To generate distribution data,
For each of the plurality of refractive indexes, the computer further functions as a data comparison unit that performs processing for comparing the particle size distribution data calculated from different light intensity distribution data using a common refractive index for all refractive indexes. As well as
A data processing program for particle size distribution measurement, wherein the refractive index determination unit determines an optimum refractive index from the plurality of refractive indexes based on a comparison result by the data comparison unit.

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