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An | {{Stub-general}} | ||
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 | 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]]. | thermal noise, which leads to [[capillary waves| thermal capillary waves]]. See also | ||
[[diffusion at interfaces]]. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
#[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 ]] | ||