The Facility for Light Scattering provide options for static, dynamic, and electrophoretic light scattering, all non-invasive techniques for characterizing structure and dynamics of suspended materials on the nano- and meso-scale.
Measurement Services
Dynamic light scattering (DLS) primarily measures diffusive relaxation times in suspension, and is well-suited for characterizing particle or droplet size, size distributions, growth kinetics and aggregation dynamics from the nm to the micron scale.
Overnight DLS measurements are available to assess aggregation, precipitation, gelation, and sedimentation.
Static light scattering (SLS) provides structural information and morphology of aggregates in suspension, as well as molecular weights and intermolecular interaction potentials for polymers, proteins, and other solutes.
Electrophoretic light scattering (ELS) adds an electric field across a sample chamber to measure the electrophoretic mobility, zeta potential, and, with the use of a titrator, the iso-electric point, or point-of-zero charge of suspended colloids (PZC).
Instrument Capabilities
| DLS | SLS | ELS/PZC | Overnight | |
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Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS)
- Hydrodynamic radius & size distribution (~1nm – 10um)
- Gelation/Aggregation/Sedimentation/Creaming
- Critical micelle concentration
Electrophoretic Light Scattering (ELS)
- Electrophoretic mobility and Zeta potential
- Iso-electric Point or Point-of-Zero Charge (IEP or PZC)
Usage Rates
The FLS is an Internal Service Provider (ISP) of the University, and is supported by user fees. For Yale ID holders, the hourly rates are as follows:
| DLS/ELS/PZC | SLS | Overnight DLS | Consultation | Training |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70 | 165* | 20 | 165 | 280 |
*SLS can be provided as full-service measurements; please inquire.
All users must be trained. Training sessions are billed per-session, and are held on a regular basis. Users and prospective users can refer to the Instrument Usage Notes.
Please contact us to arrange a training session or to discuss your project. External users are also welcome, from both academia and industry.