Photon Correlation Measurements at Large Lag Times: Improving Statistical Accuracy

Abstract

Abstract Dynamic light scattering and photon correlation spectroscopy are able to resolve large ranges of coherence times, and hence of scattering particle size or constant of diffusion, in a single measurement if a modern multiple-tau correlator is used. However, particular problems like bias and unsatisfactory statistical accuracy typically arise at very large lag-times. A novel normalization scheme is presented which cures the accuracy problem and provides reliable photon correlation data at large lag-times within significantly reduced total measurement times.