Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) or Photon Correlation Spectroscopy (PCS) or Quasi-elastic Light Scattering (QELS)
Determining the Full Particle Size Distribution!
DLS is used to characterize the size of various particles including proteins, polymers, micelles, carbohydrates, and nanoparticles. This method utilizes the effect of Brownian motion to calculate the hydrodynamic radius of a molecule in solution where its hydrodynamic size depends on the mass of the material and its conformation. This method determines particle size based on the scattering of light for particles in the sub-micron to low nanometer range. DLS which measures at a fixed angle can determine the mean particle size in a limited size range, while multi-angle DLS can determine the full particle size distribution. This method is preferred as compared to Laser Light Scattering when analyzing materials in the nanometer size range.
DLS is ideal for directly measuring the full particle size distribution!
- Simple or no sample preparation, measures the material in the native state including high concentration and turbid samples
- Measures particle sizes down to 1 nm diameter
- Identifies small amounts of aggregation in protein or polymer samples (<0.01% by weight)
- Quick particle size analysis
