Multiple light scattering from concentrated, interacting suspensions

The effects of short-range interparticle correlations on the multiple scattering of light in colloidal suspensions are studied. Our measurements, and comparisons with theory, of the transport mean free path and the width of the coherent backscattering cone demonstrate the validity of the diffusion approximation of light in correlated suspensions. Dynamic multiple-light-scattering measurements allow determination of the short-time self-diffusion constant of the spheres. The data agree with hydrodynamic theory up to 45% volume fraction with no adjustable parameters.