Abstract
A new technique for control of size and shape of flame-made particles is Introduced. The characteristic sintering time can be controlled Independently of collision time by heating the particles with irradiation of laser because the sintering time strongly depends on temperature. A coflow oxy-hydrogen diffusion flame burner was used for $SiCl_4$ conversion to silica particle. Nanometer sized aggregates irradiated by a high power CW $CO_2$ laser beam were rapidly heated up to high temperatures and then were sintered to approach volume-equivalent spheres. The sphere collides much slower than the aggregate, which results in reduction of sizes of particles maintaining spherical shape. Light scattering of Ar ion laser and TEM observation using a local sampling device were used to confirm the above effects. When the $CO_2$ laser was irradiated at low position from the burner surface, particle generation due to gas absorption of laser beam occurred and thus scattering intensity increased with $CO_2$ laser power. At high irradiation position, scattering intensity decreased with $CO_2$ laser power and TEM image showed a clear mark of evaporation and recondensation of particles for high $CO_2$ laser power. When the laser was irradiated between the above two positions where small aggregates exist, average size of spherical particles obviously decreased to 58% of those without $CO_2$ laser irradiation with the spherical shape. Even for increased carrier gas flow rate by a factor of three, TEM photograph also revealed considerable reduction of particle size.
