| Abstract: | The static structure factor and the first cumulant of the time correlation function in dynamic light scattering have been calculated for a regularly branched molecule with n shells of branching generations which are connected by chains of m repeating units per chain. Ideal flexibility for the chains is assumed. The dynamic scattering functions of these soft spheres show behavior significantly different from that of a hard sphere. The theory describes very satisfactorily the static and dynamic light scattering results obtained experimentally with polyvinyl acetate microgels. The possibility of determining the glass transition temperature of latex particles is briefly discussed. |
