Use of a charge coupled device camera for low-angle elastic light scattering

A charge coupled device (CCD) camera has been successfully used to implement a low-angle elastic light scattering setup. A novel optical detection layout brings all the light scattered by the sample directly onto the CCD, optimizing the instrument sensitivity. The detectable angular range covers similar to 2 decades, from similar to 0.1 degrees to similar to 10 degrees. The calibration of the instrument, as well as the estimate of its sensitivity, accuracy, dynamic range and linearity, can be carried out by using single pinholes. Experimental results from pinholes and diluted suspensions of polystyrene spheres are presented. (C) 1997 American Institute of Physics.