Patent ID: 7866220

Claim:
A method for collecting a gaseous sample with an electrostatic atomizer, comprising: preparing the electrostatic atomizer comprising a sealable container, an inlet for the gaseous sample mounted at a part of the container, an outlet for the gaseous sample mounted at another part of the container, an atomizing electrode mounted in the container, a primary refrigerator to chill the atomizing electrode, an opposite electrode mounted in the container and having a slit, an acicular capture electrode opposed to the opposite electrode through the slit positioned therebetween, and a secondary refrigerator to chill the capture electrode, introducing the gaseous sample into the container through the inlet, chilling the atomizing electrode with the primary refrigerator, preparing a primary condensate from the gaseous sample on an outer peripheral surface of the atomizing electrode, preparing charged microparticles from the primary condensate with electrostatic atomization, applying voltage to the capture electrode for the opposite electrode, chilling the capture electrode with the secondary refrigerator, and preparing a secondary condensate from the charged microparticles at a position adjacent to the tip of the capture electrode.