Atmospheric soot and organic particles from fossil fuel combustion and biomass burning modify Earth’s climate through their interactions with solar radiation and through modifications of cloud properties by acting as cloud condensation nuclei and ice nucleating particles. Recent advancements in understanding their individual properties and microscopic composition have led to heightened interest in their microphysical properties. This review article provides an overview of current advanced microscopic measurements and offers insights into future avenues for studying microphysical properties of these particles. To quantify soot morphology and ageing, fractal dimension (D_f) is a commonly employed quantitative metric which allows to characterize morphologies of soot aggregates and their modifications in relation to ageing factors like internal mixing state, core-shell structures, phase, and composition heterogeneity. Models have been developed to incorporate D_f and mixing diversity metrics of aged soot particles, enabling quantitative assessment of their optical absorption and radiative forcing effects. The microphysical properties of soot and organic particles are complex and they are influenced by particle sources, ageing process, and meteorological conditions. Furthermore, soluble organic particles exhibit diverse forms and can engage in liquid–liquid phase separation with sulfate and nitrate components. Primary carbonaceous particles such as tar balls and soot warrant further attention due to their strong light absorbing properties, presence of toxic organic constituents, and small size, which can impact human health. Future research needs include both atmospheric measurements and modeling approaches, focusing on changes in the mixing structures of soot and organic particle ensembles, their effects on climate dynamics and human health.

化石燃料燃烧和生物质燃烧产生的大气烟灰和有机颗粒通过与太阳辐射的相互作用以及通过充当云凝核和冰成核颗粒来改变云特性来改变地球气候。最近在了解它们的个体特性和微观组成方面取得的进展引起了人们对其微观物理特性的高度兴趣。这篇综述文章概述了当前先进的微观测量，并提供了对研究这些颗粒的微观物理特性的未来途径的见解。为了量化烟灰形态和老化，分形维数 ( D _f ) 是一种常用的定量指标，它可以表征烟灰聚集体的形态及其与老化因素（如内部混合状态、核壳结构、相和成分异质性）相关的变化。已开发出模型，将D _f和老化烟灰颗粒的混合多样性指标结合起来，从而能够定量评估其光学吸收和辐射强迫效应。烟尘和有机颗粒的微物理性质复杂，受颗粒源、老化过程和气象条件的影响。此外，可溶性有机颗粒表现出多种形式，可以与硫酸盐和硝酸盐组分进行液-液相分离。焦油球和烟灰等初级碳质颗粒由于其强光吸收特性、有毒有机成分的存在以及尺寸小而值得进一步关注，可能影响人类健康。未来的研究需求包括大气测量和建模方法，重点关注烟灰和有机颗粒群混合结构的变化及其对气候动态和人类健康的影响。