Photon correlation spectroscopy of thermal fluctuations of liquid surfaces

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Abstract
Quasi-elastic light scattering has been used to study thermally excited capillary waves on free liquid surfaces over a considerably wider range of surface wavenumbers than hitherto. The surfaces of ethanol, water and of aqueous solutions of both ethanol and tertiary-butyl alcohol have been studied. The observed frequencies and damping constants of capillary waves of all wavenumbers are in good accord with theoretical predictions. For all liquids studied the surface tensions and viscosities deduced agreed with literature values to within 0.4 and 1.3% respectively. These results indicate that surface viscous effects postulated for water exist neither for that liquid nor for aqueous solutions of alcohols which are thought to enhance the inherent structure of water.