Scaled photocount correlation of non-Gaussian scattered light

Abstract

The photocount autocorrelation of non‐Gaussian scattered laser light is discussed as a tool for the study of both very dilute or highly correlated scattering systems. A scaled photocount correlation technique is introduced and shown to produce a function directly proportional to the correlation function of the integrated scattered intensity, independent of the field statistics. This technique overcomes the serious problems of interpretation that can arise when the commonly used clipped correlation technique is applied to non‐Gaussian fields. The scaled correlation technique is demonstrated experimentally with a simple scattering system, a small number of particles under uniform translational motion.