Estimation of Fractal Dimension in Colloidal Gels

Gels are complex structures that can be described in terms of the fractal dimension, d<INF>f</INF>, of the clusters that constitute them. Classical techniques, based on the structure factor obtained through scattering measurements, provide erroneous values of d<INF>f</INF>, which differ from the values estimated from the corresponding particle-density correlation function. The source of this error is identified in this work, and a procedure to get the correct value of d<INF>f</INF> from experimental scattering data is indicated.