Neutron reflectivity of an oil-water interface

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Abstract
We report for the first time a study of the specular reflectivity of neutrons by an oil-water interface. We have overcome the problem of neutron absorption in the upper oil phase by using thin oil layers of well-controlled thickness. The study is performed on an oil-water interface covered by a surfactant layer previously studied by light scattering and ellipsometry. The neutron study allows us to determine the thickness of the surfactant layer and the oil-water interfacial roughness, which is large due to the ultralow interfacial tension.