LS Spectrometer™
Variable Multi-Angle Light Scattering Instrument (V-MALS) for unmatched particle characterization.
The LS SpectrometerTM is a Variable Multi-Angle Light Scattering instrument (V-MALS). In V-MALS, the detectors are mounted on a movable arm. This allows precise adjustment to almost any angle, increasing the measurement sensitivity. Combined with the patented Modulated 3D technology (dilution-free measurements) and CORENN (improved aggregate detection), the LS SpectrometerTM allows for the most comprehensive nanoparticle characterization available on the market.
What can it measure?
- Particle size
- Polydispersity
- Particle shape
- Viscosity
- Molecular weight
- Sample structure
Your benefits
- Error-free measurements with modulated 3D technology
- No dilution of samples required
- Best measurement sensitivity on the market
- Transparent data processing
- Characterize multimodal samples accurately
Powerful
Customizable
Versatile
Support
Variable Multi-Angle Light Scattering (V-MALS)
In contrast to MALS instruments with sensors attached to fixed angles, the detectors of the LS SpectrometerTM are mounted on a rotating arm around the sample so that they can be precisely and variably adjusted to any selected scattering angle between 12° and 150°. This contributes to a significant improvement in sensitivity for particle sizing and aggregate detection as well as for the measurement of parameters such as capsid load, particle shape or molecular weight
Dilution-free measurements with multiple scattering filter
Both DLS and SLS technologies are based on the assumption that only single scattered light is detected. As particle concentration increases, however, multiple scattering increases and gradually dominates the signal. This introduces an undetectable systematic error in both DLS and SLS. No matter how long or how many times you repeat the measurement, you can’t remove or detect this error. To overcome this issue, LS Instruments has developed the optional Modulated 3D unit that efficiently suppresses multiple scattering. The Modulated 3D cross-correlation technique uses two laser beams to perform two scattering experiments simultaneously. While the contribution originating from the single scattering is identical, the multiple scattering contribution is different in the two experiments. By cross-correlating the signal, multiple scattering is thus suppressed. The 3D LS Spectrometer is the only instrument that offers this technology for both DLS and SLS.
Improved aggregate detection and particle size distribution resolution
CORENN is a novel advanced machine learning algorithm to extract the particle size distribution (PSD) from a DLS measurement. CORENN is the only DLS inversion algorithm that leverages advanced signal approximation techniques and a unique theoretical estimate of the signal noise to yield extremely reliable results, robust against experimental distortions, thus enabling the end-user to obtain the true PSD from real-world DLS experiments. The figure on the left shows a DLS measurement of a particle mixture of 4 nm and 45 nm. Only CORENN is able to correctly determine the two populations.
Anisotropic particle characterization with Depolarized DLS
This is the perfect technique to easily characterize anisotropic particles and is gaining increasing attention from scientists: a set of two polarizers allows you to characterize the rotational dynamics of your sample and the aspect ratio of anisotropic particles through a simple DLS measurement.
Temperature Control
Our powerful temperature circulator allows you to precisely control the temperature in your sample. It reduces heating and cooling times significantly compared to other circulators. It can be pre-programmed to conduct measurement series at different temperatures with the LSI software module of LSI.
Sample Goniometer
Many gel-like samples suitable for light scattering show a non-ergodic behavior that results in measurement errors. LS Instruments has developed a sample goniometer that rotates non-ergodic samples at a suitable speed to obtain the correct results. Moreover, the sample goniometer can also be used to displace the sample from the center of rotation. This enables the use of square cells in which the path of the scattered light in the sample can be reduced to less than 200 micron, which significantly reduces multiple scattering.
Specifications
| Technology | Dynamic and Static Light Scattering (DLS and SLS). Upgradeable with 3D and Modulated 3D technology for dilution-free measurements. |
| Sample volume | 50 μL to 4 ml |
| Particle size range (Rh) | 0.15 nm to 5µm* |
| Radius of gyration | 5 nm to 5µm* |
| Molecular weight | 360 - 3˙600˙000 Dalton* |
| Angular range |
effective: 10° to 150° recommended: 17° to 150° |
| Angular resolution | certified better than +/- 0.05° |
| Laser | Fiber-coupled laser 120 mW, 638 nm |
| Laser control | Automated attenuator - laser intensity adjustable from 0.01% to 100% |
| Laser product class | 1 |
| Correlator | 320 channels, delay time 12.5 ns to 15 h, auto- and cross-correlation |
| Detection | Two high-performance APDs, QE 65%, dark counts < 250 count/s |
| Temperature | up to 90 °C |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 156 x 84 x 31 cm |
| Software | LsLabTM software for data acquisition and analysis including Cumulant and CORENN. Zimm Plot, Guinier Plot, and Debye Plot. |
* As for all DLS instruments, the maximum range is sample dependent.