Dynamic Light Scattering Instruments (DLS)

Dynamic light scattering (DLS) is a process used to determine the size distribution of tiny particles in suspension or polymers in solution. DLS is often used to analyze nanoparticles. In a typical DLS analyzer, a sample is struck by a laser beam and the variations of the light scattered by the sample are detected at a recognized scattering angle. Basic analyzers in DLS instruments evaluate at a fixed angle to determine the average particle size in a particular size range. More complex instruments can determine the complete particle size distribution. At the microscopic level, particles scatter the light and reveal information regarding their motion. Evaluation of the fluctuation reveals data on the particles being analyzed.