Depolarized dynamic light scattering from optically anisotropic reaction-limited aggregates

Abstract

We have used small-angle depolarized dynamic light scattering in conjunction with aggregates of (rather unique) optically anisotropic spherical particles. Pure rotational diffusion is observed, and all the relevant information on a reaction-limited aggregation has been derived as a function of time. We show that the asymptotic form of the cluster mass distribution is actually attained during the very early stages of the process. The value of the exponent \ensuremath{\tau} characterizing the low-mass portion of the cluster distribution is derived.