Statistics of Non-Gaussian Scattered Light

Abstract

The statistical distribution of the scattered light intensity is studied theoretically and experimentally for systems where $〈N〉$, the average number of particles in the scattering volume, is small. An expression is obtained for the intensity distribution for the case of a uniformly illuminated scattering volume and the moments are obtained for an arbitrary illumination profile. Calculated moments are compared with those measured for dilute solutions of polystyrene spheres.