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Title: Method and apparatus for monitoring and measuring the surface tension of a fluid using fiber optics

Abstract

A non-contact method and apparatus are described for measuring and monitoring the surface of a fluid using fiber optics and interferometric detection to permit measurement of mechanical characteristics of fluid surfaces. The apparatus employs an alternating electric field gradient for generating a capillary wave on the surface of the fluid. A fiber optic coupler and optical fiber directs a portion of a laser beam onto the surface of the fluid, another portion of the laser beam onto the photo sensor, and directs light reflected from the surface of the fluid onto the photo sensor. The output of the photo sensor is processed and coupled to a phase sensitive detector to permit measurement of phase shift between the drive signal creating the capillary wave and the detected signal. This phase shift information is then used to determine mechanical properties of the fluid surface such as surface tension, surface elasticity, and surface inhomogeneity. The resulting test structure is easily made compact, portable, and easy to align and use. 4 figures.

Inventors:
; ; ;
Issue Date:
OSTI Identifier:
5051446
Patent Number(s):
5303030
Application Number:
PPN: US 7-801153
Assignee:
Northwestern Univ., Evanston, IL (United States)
DOE Contract Number:  
FG02-84ER45125
Resource Type:
Patent
Resource Relation:
Patent File Date: 2 Dec 1991
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION; FLUIDS; SURFACE TENSION; TENSIOMETERS; DESIGN; OPERATION; PORTABLE EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT; MEASURING INSTRUMENTS; SURFACE PROPERTIES; 440800* - Miscellaneous Instrumentation- (1990-)

Citation Formats

Abraham, B M, Ketterson, J B, Bohanon, T M, and Mikrut, J M. Method and apparatus for monitoring and measuring the surface tension of a fluid using fiber optics. United States: N. p., 1994. Web.
Abraham, B M, Ketterson, J B, Bohanon, T M, & Mikrut, J M. Method and apparatus for monitoring and measuring the surface tension of a fluid using fiber optics. United States.
Abraham, B M, Ketterson, J B, Bohanon, T M, and Mikrut, J M. Tue . "Method and apparatus for monitoring and measuring the surface tension of a fluid using fiber optics". United States.
@article{osti_5051446,
title = {Method and apparatus for monitoring and measuring the surface tension of a fluid using fiber optics},
author = {Abraham, B M and Ketterson, J B and Bohanon, T M and Mikrut, J M},
abstractNote = {A non-contact method and apparatus are described for measuring and monitoring the surface of a fluid using fiber optics and interferometric detection to permit measurement of mechanical characteristics of fluid surfaces. The apparatus employs an alternating electric field gradient for generating a capillary wave on the surface of the fluid. A fiber optic coupler and optical fiber directs a portion of a laser beam onto the surface of the fluid, another portion of the laser beam onto the photo sensor, and directs light reflected from the surface of the fluid onto the photo sensor. The output of the photo sensor is processed and coupled to a phase sensitive detector to permit measurement of phase shift between the drive signal creating the capillary wave and the detected signal. This phase shift information is then used to determine mechanical properties of the fluid surface such as surface tension, surface elasticity, and surface inhomogeneity. The resulting test structure is easily made compact, portable, and easy to align and use. 4 figures.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {1994},
month = {4}
}

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