Polyelectrolytes and small angle scattering

We present an introduction to the application of small angle Xray and neutron scattering to the study of polyelectrolyte solutions. We aim to give a simple overview of the structural information that can be gained with these techniques. In particular, we show how neutron scattering associated to isotopic labelling enables the determination of the different partial structure functions as well as the dispersion state and the average conformation of polyions