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

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.