A Time-Resolved Low-Angle Light Scattering Apparatus. Application to Phase Separation Problems in Polymer Systems

Abstract

A time-resolved small-angle light scattering apparatus equipped with azimuthal integration by means of a conical lens or software analysis of scattering patterns detected with a CCD camera was developed. Averaging allows a significant reduction of the signal-to-noise ratio of scattered light and makes this technique suitable for investigation of phase separation kinetics. Examples of applications to time evolution of phase separation in concentrated statistical copolymer solutions and dissolution of phase-separated domains in polymer blends are given.