A time-resolved low-angle light scattering apparatus. Application to phaseseparation problems in polymer systems

A time-resolved small-angle light scattering apparatus equipped with azimut hal integration by means of a conical lens or software analysis of scatteri ng patterns detected with a CCD camera was developed. Averaging allows a si gnificant reduction of the signal-to-noise ratio of scattered light and mak es this technique suitable for investigation of phase separation kinetics. Examples of applications to time evolution of phase separation in concentra ted statistical copolymer solutions and dissolution of phase-separated doma ins in polymer blends are given.