Quantitative measurements of Ostwald ripening using time-resolved small-angle neutron scattering

Using a unique method we present accurate quantitative measurements of the Ostwald ripening of an emulsion system. Time-resolved small-angle neutron s cattering monitors the time evolution of the average radius and number dens ity of the emulsion drops. The results qualitatively agree with the current theory of Ostwald ripening but there is a quantitative, experimentally sig nificant, discrepancy of a factor of 1.7. We argue that these accurate expe riments, performed on a well characterized system, provide a most useful ba sis for testing further refinements of the theory. [S1063-651X(99)17210-6].