Rainbow surface tension analysis.
In this paper we outline a new all-optical non-contact technique for measurement of the surface tension of a Newtonian fluid. It is based on the accurate measurement of the spacing of the supernumerary fringes produced by the diffraction pattern of a laser beam transmitted through or reflected by a thin vertically-draining film of the liquid. We discuss the basic theory and application of this technique, and several issues which must be addressed before it can be used commercially.
Department of Physics, St. Mary's College of Maryland, St. Mary's City, MD 20686, USA. cladler@smcm.edu
Charles L
CL
Adler
Valen A
VA
Smith
Natalie M
NM
Haddad
D000465:Algorithms; D007834:Lasers; D008422:Materials Testing / Q000379:methods*; D044085:Microfluidics / Q000379:methods*; D012031:Refractometry / Q000379:methods*; D013500:Surface Tension