Detector array incorporated optical scattering instrument for nephelometric measurements on small particles

The design and fabrication of a laser-based laboratory light scattering instrument that uses an array of 16 static Si photodetectors and can be operated at three different incident wavelengths (543.5 nm, 594.5 nm and 632.8 nm) are described. The instrument can measure scattered light signals from 10° to 170° in steps of 1°. The accuracy and the reliability of the setup were verified by conducting measurements on the light scattering properties of polystyrene spheres suspended in water and comparing the results with theoretical Mie calculations. The measurements using this instrument on the light scattering properties of spheroidal rutile (TiO2) particles of average diameter 250 nm are presented