Surface roughness and adsorption isotherms of molecularly thin liquid films: An x-ray reflectivity study

Journal Article · Thu Dec 15 04:00:00 EST 2005 · Physical Review. E, Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVE.72.0· OSTI ID:20778460

Paulus, M; Gutt, C; Tolan, M ^[1]

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1. Institute of Physics, University of Dortmund, 44221 Dortmund (Germany)

We present an x-ray reflectivity study of molecularly thin films of liquid isobutane adsorbed on liquid glycerol. The glycerol-isobutane interface serves as a model system to investigate the influence of the substrate adsorbate interactions on both adsorption isotherms and capillary wave fluctuations. The measured surface roughness is smaller than expected from the harmonic approximation of the interaction potential. Expressions for the surface roughness in slightly anharmonic potentials are given and compared to the experimental data. A good agreement between data and theory is achieved.

• OSTI ID: 20778460
• Journal Information: Physical Review. E, Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics, Journal Name: Physical Review. E, Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 72; ISSN PLEEE8; ISSN 1063-651X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

2-METHYLPROPANE
75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
ADSORPTION
ADSORPTION ISOTHERMS
CAPILLARIES
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
GLYCEROL
LAYERS
LIQUIDS
REFLECTIVITY
ROUGHNESS
SUBSTRATES
THIN FILMS
X RADIATION