Quantitative simulation of errors in correlation analysis

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Abstract
Bounding the errors of measurements derived from correlation functions of light scattered from some physical systems is typically complicated by the ill conditioning of the data inversion. Parameter values are estimated from fitting well-chosen models to measurements taken for long enough to look acceptable, or at least to yield convergence to some reasonable result. We show some simple numerical simulations that indicate the possibility of substantial and unanticipated errors even in comparatively simple experiments. We further show quantitative evidence for the effectiveness of a number of ad hoc aspects of the art of performing good light-scattering experiments and recovering useful measurements from them. Separating data-inversion properties from experimental inconsistencies may lead to a better understanding and better bounding of some errors, giving new ways to improve overall experimental accuracy.