Dynamic light scattering using monomode optical fibers

Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS)

Focus a laser on dissolved particles and analyze the scattered light to reveal their size. This well established principle is used in dynamic light scattering (DLS), or also called photon-correlation spectroscopy, which is a widely popular and highly adaptable analytical method applied in different fields of life and material sciences, as well as in industrial quality control processes.

Methods to Analyze EVs

Research in the field of extracellular vesicles (EVs) is challenged by the small size of the nano-sized particles. Apart from the use of transmission and scanning electron microscopy, established technical platforms to visualize, quantify, and characterize nano-sized EVs were lacking. Recently, methodologies to characterize nano-sized EVs have been developed. This chapter aims to summarize physical principles of novel and conventional technologies to be used in the EV field and to discuss advantages and limitations.

Parallel heterodyne detection of dynamic light-scattering spectra from gold nanoparticles diffusing in viscous fluids

We developed a microscope intended to probe, using a parallel heterodyne receiver, the fluctuation spectrum of light quasi-elastically scattered by gold nanoparticles diffusing in viscous fluids. The cutoff frequencies of the recorded spectra scale up linearly with those expected from single-scattering formalism in a wide range of dynamic viscosities (1 to 15 times water viscosity at room temperature). Our scheme enables ensemble-averaged optical fluctuations measurements over multispeckle recordings in low light, at temporal frequencies up to 10 kHz, with a 12 Hz framerate array detector.

Microfluidics with on-line dynamic light scattering for size measurements

We present a detailed investigation on the feasibility of on-line dynamic light scattering measurements of colloidal sizes in a pressure-driven microfluidic flow. We review some theoretical arguments showing that such experiments are difficult to perform due to the Poiseuille flow that induces interferences of different Doppler shifts. Such a theoretical approach is however very useful to figure out the range of parameters where on-line size measurements are possible. We then build a dynamic light scattering setup around a microfluidic chip that enables us to estimate the size of Brownian scatterers flowing in PDMS-based microchannels, thus validating experimentally the theoretical estimations. We finally present a microfluidic chip that can mix two reactants in approximately 200 ms, and allows size measurements using dynamic light scattering at about 300 ms after complete mixing. Two applications are presented: the continuous monitoring of the viscosity of a two-fluid mixture, and the electrostatic co-assembly of oppositely charged nanoparticles and block copolymers.

Miniaturized dynamic light scattering instrumentation for use in microfluidic applications

Five designs for a miniaturized dynamic light scattering (DLS) instrument are described that incorporate microfluidic flow of the sample volume and fiber optic probes directly embedded into the sample. These instruments were demonstrated to accurately determine the size of 10-100 nm particles dispersed in organic and aqueous solvents with most sample sizes less than 150 microl. Small stir bars were incorporated directly into the instruments, and enabled blending of different solutions immediately prior to DLS measurements. Demonstration of the instruments' capabilities include high throughput measurements of the micelle to unimer transition for poly(styrene-b-isoprene) in mixed toluene/hexadecane solvent, obtained by systematically blending toluene-rich and hexadecane-rich polymer solutions. The critical solvent composition was quickly identified with less than 20 mg of polymer. Further capabilities include temperature control, demonstrated by identification of a critical micelle temperature of poly(ethylene oxide-b-propylene oxide-b-ethylene oxide), as well as multiangle DLS measurements.

Heterodyne detection of multiply scattered monochromatic light with a multipixel detector

A new technique is presented for measuring the spectral broadening of light that has been multiply scattered from scatterers in motion. In our method the scattered light is detected by a heterodyne receiver that uses a CCD as a multipixel detector. We obtain the frequency spectrum of the scattered light by sweeping the heterodyne local oscillator frequency. Our detection scheme combines a high optical etendue (product of the surface by the detection solid angle) with an optimal detection of the scattered photons (shot noise). Using this technique, we measure, in vivo, the frequency spectrum of the light scattered through the breast of a female volunteer.

Homodyne optical fiber dynamic light scattering

Optical fiber homodyne dynamic light scattering employs both the advantage of a sensitivity improvement over the standard self-beating technique and the inherent self-aligning simplicity of the optics. Ultralow concentrations of approximately nanometer-sized particles become accessible by dynamic light-scattering techniques.

Multiple-scattering suppression: cross correlation with tilted single-mode fibers

Multiple light scattering can be suppressed by slightly tilting two single-mode fibers viewing the same sample volume. The cross-correlation function of the two signals shows more or less contributions from single scattering, depending on the tilt angle. We show experimental results for polystyrene spheres at a scattering angle of 90 degrees . The measured size, intercept, and second cumulant for different tilt angles demonstrate the practicality of this technique. Both polarization components show multiple-scattering contributions, but only the parallel component contains single scattering.

Role of multiple scattering in cross-correlated light scattering with a single laser beam

Previous systems for measuring cross-correlated light scattering by small particles suspended in a liquid with multiple-scattering suppression have illuminated the particles with two laser beams. It is shown that multiple-scattering suppression should also occur in cross correlation for a system that employs a single laser beam and two closely spaced detectors with wide fields of view. The single-scattering, double-scattering, and single-double-scattering cross-term contributions to the intensity cross-correlation function are calculated. It is found that the two cross terms, when added together, are unimportant for both autocorrelation and cross correlation. The amplitude of the double-scattering term can be greatly diminished by judicious detector spacing because the spatial coherence area in the detector plane for double scattering is much smaller than that for single scattering.

Dynamic light scattering with single-mode receivers: partial heterodyning regime

A frequent source of errors in dynamic light-scattering experiments is partial heterodyning caused by scattering on large particles or imperfections of the sample cell. With a conventional two-pinhole receiver it is impossible to distinguish its effect from the effects of a finite detector area and detector nonlinearity. However, an accurate data analysis is feasible when a single-mode light receiver is employed. We present formulas for single-mode autocorrelation and cross-correlation functions that include a local oscillator and an incoherent background of arbitrary strength and take into account detector nonlinearity (e.g., dead time) up to second order. A simple but accurate method for the determination of the nonlinearity parameters and the effective number of receiver modes is also provided. The success of the data-evaluation procedure is demonstrated by the measurement of the hydrodynamic radius of latex in the presence of deliberately added local-oscillator or incoherent-background contributions.

Practical considerations in photon correlation experiments

Obtaining true and beautiful data from any photon correlation experiment demands serious attention to optimizing both the measuring system and experimental conditions. The laser must have sufficient power, be stable under all likely conditions, and usually be restricted to a single transverse mode. The beam-delivery optics must be carefully designed, built, and verified. The scattering medium must contain a proper concentration of suitably sized scatterers with appropriate characteristics. Surfaces surrounding the point of measurement must not introduce optical noise. Flare reduction in the receiver optics may be improved with ghost analysis, spatial and spectral filtering, and careful choice of stops, baffles, and surface coatings. The photon detector must have adequate speed and sensitivity with suitably low internal correlations and noise. The choice of correlator is crucial. Sometimes the equipment must be small to reach inaccessible places. Performance may be compromised by thermal, mechanical, or electrical instabilities caused by exposure to environmental excesses. Errors may even be introduced by preprocessing hardware and software before proper information is extracted. With so many conditions and potential problems, how does one obtain beautiful data, leading to correct results and enlightening information? That is the focus of our work.

Compact laser light-scattering instrument for microgravity research

NASA has developed a compact laser light-scattering instrument that employs both static and dynamic light-scattering techniques for microgravity research. The first use of this instrument was to study the behavior of colloidal hard spheres in a reduced gravity environment during the Second United States Microgravity Laboratory space shuttle mission. We discuss the instrument design and possible improvements based on our observations of significant differences between hard-sphere behavior in Earth's gravity and microgravity.

Circular-array optical-fiber probe for backscattering photon correlation spectroscopy measurements

A miniaturized probe comprising a circular array of optical fibers coupled to a graded-index microlens has been designed for analyzing colloidal solutions by photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS). The system's suitability for PCS measurements was validated by experimental testing performed in bulk solutions and small drops of monodisperse and bimodal test colloidal solutions.

Mode-selective dynamic light scattering: theory versus experimental realization

We present a quantitative experimental comparison of fiber-based, single- and few-mode dynamic light scattering with the classical pinhole-detection optics. The recently presented theory of mode-selective dynamic light scattering [Appl. Opt. 32, 2860 (1993)] predicts a collection efficiency and a signal-tobaseline ratio superior to that of a classical pinhole setup. These predictions are confirmed by our experiments. Using single-mode optical fibers with different cutoff wavelengths and commercially available mechanical components, we have constructed a mode-selective detection optics in a simple and compact dynamic light-scattering spectrometer that permits an optimal compromise between signal intensity and dynamical resolution.

Higher moments of scattered light fields by heterodyne analysis

In heterodyne detection (such as in coherent lidar) the optical local oscillator defines a single mode of the incoming-signal light field; this single-mode selectivity has been previously predicted to preserve the full fluctuation character of scattered light. This is in contrast with direct-detection schemes, as in photon-correlation spectroscopy, where aperture averaging usually reduces the range of fluctuations. Examples of Gaussian and non-Gaussian statistics in laser light scattered from a moving ground-glass screen have been studied. This simple laboratory experiment has several advantages over equivalent direct-detection schemes and has been shown to yield experimentally the theoretically predicted factorial intensity moments (up to the seventh order) that result from zero-mean, circulo-complex Gaussian statistics.

Light scattering with single-mode fiber collimators

The recent development and availability of fiber-optic components including graded-index (GRIN) microlenses and the unique optical properties of single-mode optical fibers make it possible to build ideal detector systems for light-scattering measurements. We show that the simple coupling of a 0.25-pitch GRIN lens and a single-mode optical fiber to form a collimator makes a nonimaging detector system with properties that are superior to conventional setups based on pinholes and that approaches the theoretical limit of a perfectly coherent detector.

Dynamic light scattering with single-mode and multimode receivers

Single-mode optical fibers provide the ideal receiver optics for dynamic light-scattering measurements. Theoretical analysis shows that with a single-mode fiber one can achieve a theoretical limit of 1 for the coherence factor while maintaining a high light-collection efficiency. In fact, the sensitivity of the single-mode receiver surpasses that of a classical two-pinhole setup with a coherence factor of 0.8 by a factor of 4 and the advantage increases rapidly when a still higher coherence factor is desired. In addition, a single-mode fiber receiver offers the possibility of working with an arbitrary large scattering volume and with an arbitrary working distance. All these features are also demonstrated experimentally by a remarkably simple apparatus that consists, essentially, of a commercial laser beam delivery assembly.

Fiber-optic particle size monitor based on white-light scattering

A new fiber-optic particle size monitor for in situ measurement based on white-light scattering is presented. The particle size is determined from the ratio of two scattered light intensities taken at two wavelength bands. By using white-light scattering, the proper wavelength bands in the broad spectral region can be selected in accordance with the particle size that is to be measured. Then the measurable particle size range can be expanded and the particle size can be measured precisely. The performance of this particle size monitor is theoretically discussed, and experimental data from polystyrene latex suspensions are shown to confirm its operation.

Single-mode optical fiber goniometer

A two-element single-mode optical fiber goniometer that uses graded-index microlens receivers is presented that measures the angular orientation of a remote laser. The goniometer exhibits a sensitivity of 1.0 V/mrad and a calculated shot-noise-limited angular resolution of 1.0 nrad/ radicalHz.

Miniature laser light scattering instrumentation for particle size analysis

We describe the design, construction, and testing of a miniature, all-solid state laser light scattering instrument for determination of particle sizes and distributions using photon correlation spectroscopy techniques (i.e., quasielastic or dynamic light scattering). Detailed comparative tests with standard photon correlation spectroscopy equipment are presented.

Miniature, solid state photon correlation laser Doppler velocimetry

We describe the design, construction and testing of a miniature, solid state laser Doppler velocimeter (LDV) for measurement of the velocities of gases, liquids and solid surfaces, especially using photon correlation techniques. Detailed comparative tests with standard LDV equipment are presented.

Fiber optic detector probes for laser light scattering

An experimental investigation of the role of fiber optic detector probes in laser light scattering is presented. A quantitative comparison between different detector configurations is accomplished by measuring the time taken for one million photocounts to be accumulated in the extrapolated zeroth delay channel of the net unnormalized intensity time correlation function. A considerable reduction in the accumulation time is achieved by relaxing a rather stringent requirement for the spatial coherence of the optical field.

Determination of protein size in chromatography column eluants by on-line photon correlation spectroscopy

The dynamic light scattering technique of photon correlation spectroscopy has been used to determine biomacromolecule hydrodynamic radius in solutions flowing at rates similar to those experienced in liquid chromatographic separation systems. Such analyses can be performed rapidly (less than 5 s). The potential of the technique as an on-line noninvasive monitor for liquid chromatography is discussed.

Nonlinear transmission and color-center dynamics in germanosilicate fibers at 420-540 nm

We report evidence in support of the view that induced loss and nonlinear transmission in pure germanosilicate fibers at blue-green wavelengths are governed by the formation (through two-photon absorption), spontaneous and stimulated transformation, and bleaching (through single-photon events) of Ge(1), Ge(2), and Ge(3) color centers. Using a tunable pulsed-dye laser, the excitation spectrum of the induced absorption, its spectral attenuation, and the effects of Ge concentration and thermal annealing are investigated.