In utilizing the advantages of extinction measurements in micron and especially submicron particle characterization, the properties of a multiple wavelength extinction technique have been the subject of extended theoretical studies. Furthermore, an experimental set-up was designed which provides high flexibility owing to its modular design. The performance of the technique described is demonstrated by a large variety of applications in aerosol and combustion research and in large-scale industrial systems. It was found to be a reliable tool in characterizing dense particulate systems.