Particle Sizing by Dynamic Light Scattering: Noise and distortion in correlation data

Two undesirable effects occur in particle sizing by dynamic light scattering; statistical noise, and distortion of correlation data. Statistical noise in the correlation data, caused by estimating the autocorrelation of scattered laser light by a time average, leads to non‐physical artifacts in the resulting linewidth distribution. These may be removed by regularization, computer modeling, or other techniques. The regularized kernel function for inverting the Laplace transform is calculated, and used to illustrate the problem of noise. Correct choice of the regularization parameter gives the minimum overall error. It is found that excessive error occurs unless the linewidth distribution is modeled over a finite range. Analytical models for the linewidth with finite range, based on the beta distribution of probability theory, are given. Distortion of correlation data may occur in three ways, through a focused or otherwise nonuniform laser beam in the optical system, by insufficient bit resolution in the quantized detection of scattered laser light, or by calculating a first order field autocorrelation from a second order intensity autocorrelation. Unlike noise, distortion cannot be removed by any known methods, since the exact nature of the distortion is unknown. Several examples illustrate how distortion can lead to artifacts in the linewidth distribution which could easily be misinterpreted as segments of a size distribution, not present in the physical sample.