Noninvasive study of gel formation in polymer-stabilized dense colloids using multiply scattered light

Abstract

We use diffusing-wave spectroscopy to monitor the evolution of a colloidal gel. Changes in particle diffusion are resolved without perturbing the system and are used to distinguish between unstable and stable emulsions during the early stages of their development. Our observations suggest that multiple-scattering spectroscopies may be a valuable diagnostic of an industrially useful dispersion. © 1993 Academic Press, Inc.