The solution state of cellulose dissolved in N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide-monohydrate (NMMNO.MH) was investigated by static laserlight scattering. Special emphasis was placed on the potential influence of activation procedures. The light-scattering measurements were analysed in terms of Guinier-Zimm plots. Molecular masses of the order of several million g mol(-1) were observed. This indicates that cellulose aggregates exist acid that the aggregates comprise several hundred cellulose chains. The radii of gyration of these aggregates exceed 160 nm. The overall scattering functions can be separated into two partial scattering contributions. This reflects a bimodal distribution of the particulate phase, consisting of large and small aggregates. Activation of cellulose prior to dissolution leads to particles consisting of significantly fewer cellulose molecules than without activation, However, the size of the aggregates does not change significantly.