Dynamic light scattering is a method for determining the size of particles in a solution. DLS is also known as photon correlation spectroscopy.

When we direct a monochromatic light wave at a solution with particles, some of the light hits the particles and scatters at angle. Particles in a liquid are always moving. Smaller particles move faster than larger particles move. 

As the particles in a liquid move, the angles that the light scatters at changes. Since small particles are moving faster, the angles change faster than larger particles.

Dynamic light scattering uses this change in angle to determine the speed of the particle. Then, because the particle speed changes with its size, the speed is used to determine particle size.

It is important to know the temperature of the solvent and its refractive index. The refractive index accounts for how much the solvent shifts the direction of the light. These factors are necessary for calculating an accurate speed.

Dynamic light scattering has the ability to watch particle size changes in real time.

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