SINGLE MEASUREMENTS ON PROBABILITY DENSITY-FUNCTIONS AND THEIR USE INNON-GAUSSIAN LIGHT-SCATTERING

Some properties of non-Gaussian probability density functions applicab le to coherent light scattering experiments are investigated using ran dom walk theory. The values taken by these functions together with the slope of the distribution near the origin can be used to discern the number of particles present, in particular when this number is small. The behaviour of these functions in cases where there are fluctuations in the number of particles present and the scattering cross sections indicate that the conclusions drawn are generic and not sensitive to t he details of the model. The technique may be applicable to subject ar eas other than the scattering of coherent light.