Light Scattering of High Polymer Solutions

In principle it is possible to determine the molecular weight distribution of a high polymer, containing no excessively large molecules, from interpretation of its light scattering in solutions at various concentrations. Actually there appear to be severe limitations to this method. Not only is it evident that, considering experimental error, the resolving power is low for the detection in any part of the molecular weight distribution curve of a group of components of similar molecular weights (as contrasted to a single component), it may also happen, in consequence of the restriction of the data to a certain concentration range, that components at the ends of the distribution curve will not be detected and, moreover, that the conclusions regarding the remainder of the distribution will be distorted.