METHOD DETERMINING PROFILE OF MENISCUS OF LIQUID Russian patent published in 1998 - IPC

FIELD: optical instrumentation, physico-chemical analysis of liquids and surfaces of solid bodies, specifically for determination of wetting ability of liquid, study of processes of spreading and evaporation of liquids, determination of coefficient of surface tension of liquids. SUBSTANCE: method determining profile of meniscus of liquid includes bringing sample and examined liquid to contact, illumination of section of sample adjoining meniscus with monochromatic radiation, conversion of incident radiation to surface electromagnetic wave and action with it on meniscus, recording of reflected radiation and determination of distribution of thickness of layer of liquid in meniscus, excitation of surface electromagnetic wave by radiation that is focused in plane of its incidence. Distribution of thickness of liquid in meniscus is determined by value of incidence angle corresponding to most effective excitation of surface electromagnetic wave. EFFECT: method is most of all effective when determining profile of meniscus of liquid in close proximity to line separating surface of sample and free surface of liquid. 3 dwg