DYNAMIC LIGHT-SCATTERING - AN EFFICIENT METHOD TO DETERMINE THERMAL-DIFFUSIVITY OF TRANSPARENT FLUIDS

The method of dynamic light scattering is presented as a suitable technique for measuring thermal diffusivities of fluids in a wide range of states. Other techniques for determining thermal conductivity and diffusivity are also presented with the aim of drawing a comparison between methods. Experimental components and various optical arrangements of typical light scattering experiments are shown along with selected experimental results. The sources of error are assessed, and measurements are compared with conductivity and diffusivity data obtained by other methods.