Interface: Difference between revisions
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An '''interface''' is the region that separates two bulk phases. An interface is a molecular | |||
An interface is the region that separates two bulk phases. An interface is a molecular | |||
structure, given that one of its characteristic lengths is of molecular size. It is therefore | structure, given that one of its characteristic lengths is of molecular size. It is therefore | ||
non trivial to precisely define the [[intrinsic surface]], the mathematical surface that describes the interface at the | non-trivial to precisely define the [[intrinsic surface]], the mathematical surface that describes the interface at the | ||
microscopic level. The cost | microscopic level. The cost | ||
in terms of the [[Helmholtz energy function | Helmholtz energy]] to create such a structure is known as the the [[surface tension]]. | in terms of the [[Helmholtz energy function | Helmholtz energy]] to create such a structure is known as the the [[surface tension]]. | ||
The simplest, most studied, and perhaps most important interface is the | The simplest, most studied, and perhaps most important interface is the | ||
fluid/fluid interface: the liquid/vapour interface of a one-component system. | fluid/fluid interface: the liquid/vapour interface of a one-component system. | ||
Interfaces are subject to | Interfaces are subject to | ||
thermal noise, which leads to [[capillary waves| thermal capillary waves]]. See also | thermal noise, which leads to [[capillary waves| thermal capillary waves]]. | ||
[[ | ==See also== | ||
*[[Capillary fluctuation method]] | |||
*[[Cleaving method]] | |||
*[[Diffusion at interfaces]] | |||
*[[Surface tension]] | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
'''Related reading''' | |||
*[http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00018737900101365 R. Evans "The nature of the liquid-vapour interface and other topics in the statistical mechanics of non-uniform, classical fluids", Advances in Physics '''28''' pp. 143-200 (1979)] | |||
[[Category: Confined systems ]] [[ Category: Phase transitions ]] | [[Category: Confined systems ]] [[ Category: Phase transitions ]] | ||
Latest revision as of 11:17, 21 September 2009
An interface is the region that separates two bulk phases. An interface is a molecular structure, given that one of its characteristic lengths is of molecular size. It is therefore non-trivial to precisely define the intrinsic surface, the mathematical surface that describes the interface at the microscopic level. The cost in terms of the Helmholtz energy to create such a structure is known as the the surface tension. The simplest, most studied, and perhaps most important interface is the fluid/fluid interface: the liquid/vapour interface of a one-component system. Interfaces are subject to thermal noise, which leads to thermal capillary waves.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
Related reading