Size Distributions out of Static Light Scattering: Inclusion of Distortions from the Experimental Setup, e.g., a...

In this paper the estimation of sphere size distributions of polymer latex with static light scattering is investigated. For the calculation of the scattering data a model is proposed which describes a SOFICA-type goniometer that was used for the light scattering experiments. From the comparison of this model with a model that is based on Mie's Theory only, conclusions about the reliability of the estimation of size distributions from uni- and bimodal colloidal suspensions with static light scattering could be drawn. Furthermore, the contribution of multiple scattering was investigated, and a method is suggested which further improves the obtained results. Both simulated and experimental data were examined. For data analysis, a method based on Tikhonov regularization was used. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.