Polydisperse particle size analysis by pulsed electric birefringence

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Abstract
The birefringence decay following the application of an electric pulse to a sol or solution is analysed. By considering the response to pulses of variable duration, size distributions can be evaluated for rigid particles of various shapes without presupposing the form of the distribution function. The method is able to deal with multimodal distributions. Generalized expressions are given that are applicable whatever the dipolar characteristics of the particles, and systems which experience surface-induced polarization, as is commonly encountered in aqueous and conducting media, are described in detail.