VOLDIS: A Direct Search for the Size Distribution of Nanoparticles from Small-Angle Scattering Data and Stability of the Solution

The paper considers an algorithm for the direct search for a nonparametric smooth histogram of the particle size distribution from small-angle X-ray and neutron scattering data. The features and details of the implementation of the method, which consists in the sequential search for several solutions with different degrees of smoothness of the distribution contour, are considered. Methods for evaluating the stability of both the whole distribution contour and its individual parts are discussed. The work of the program is illustrated by examples of the analysis of polydisperse spherical particles in silicasol solutions.

Automated summary

The paper examines an algorithm for directly searching for a nonparametric smooth histogram of particle size distribution using small-angle X-ray and neutron scattering data. The study discusses the features and implementation details of the method, which involves sequentially searching for solutions with varying degrees of distribution contour smoothness. Methods for evaluating the stability of both the entire distribution contour and its individual parts are also explored. Examples of analyzing polydisperse spherical particles in silicasol solutions are provided to illustrate the program's functionality.