Lasers for Dynamic Light Scattering
Dynamic light scattering DLS is used to determine the size distribution and movement of small particles in suspension or polymers in solution. Coherent light passes through the sample between two polarizers and the speckle pattern is recorded. The dynamic information of the particles is derived from an autocorrelation of the intensity trace in the recorded images.
Courtesy of LS Instruments, Switzerland.
The light scattering depends on the size of the particles relative to the wavelength of light and visible light sources are very suitable for particles ranging in size from nm up to mm. In addition, the wavelength of the laser source should be within the sensitivity range of a detector and be outside the absorption region of particles in suspension/solution. Besides the importance of the wavelength, the power level and intensity noise (rms) of a laser need to be considered. Since low concentrations give the most accurate results, the intensity of scattered light is typically relatively weak and thus higher power lasers are often used (200 mW). Ultimately, the scattered light intensity variations are measured, and therefore the intensity noise of the laser (rms) determines the accuracy of the measurements and is thus the most important specification for the laser.
At HÜBNER Photonics our broad portfolio of low noise Cobolt lasers with different power levels and many wavelengths makes them are perfectly suited to DLS measurements.
Related products
Cobolt 08-01 Series
Compact narrow linewidth lasers
Wavelength: 405 nm – 1064 nm
Power: 25 mW – 500 mW
Applications: Raman spectroscopy, interferometry, dynamic light scattering.
Cobolt 04-01 Series
Single frequency, CW diode pumped lasers
Wavelength: 457 nm – 1064 nm
Power: 25 mW – 400 mW
Applications: Raman, microscopy, LDV, DLS
Cobolt 05-01 Series
High power, single frequency, CW diode pumped lasers
Wavelength: 320 nm – 1064 nm
Power: 10 mW – 3000 mW
Applications: Holography, Raman, microscopy, flow cytometry, research
