What is Static Light Scattering (SLS)?
Static Light Scattering is a technique used primarily for determining the molecular weight and size of molecules in solution. At its most basic level, it involves passing a laser beam through a solution of material and measuring the photons scattered by the particles in solution at various angles around the sample.
Static light scattering, as opposed to Dynamic light scattering, averages the scattered signal intensity over time and gives a mean average intensity for the population. This data can then be used determine the molecular size and if the instrument is appropriately calibrated the molecular weight of the suspended particles.
Static Light Scattering determines the follow parameters:
- Molar Mass
- RMS Radius, Rg
- Second Viral coefficient, A2
Light scattering techniques are “ensemble” techniques as they give a representation for the entire population but do not measure or count individual particles.
