The structure of deformable particles in applied external fields

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Abstract
The structure of two dimensional deformable particles of low interfacial tension is studied theoretically. Closed loops in the plane are used to model droplets of one liquid in a second with surface active molecules residing at the liquid-liquid interface. The mechanical properties of the surfactant layer are represented by a bending energy contribution due to Helfrich, where the relevant parameters are rigidity and local curvature, and a surface tension. Thermal shape fluctuations and the deformational response to external fields, such as those due to confining walls or neighbouring particles, are studied by a method of functional integration in conjunction with a Monte Carlo sampling technique. Our results include particle shape distribution functions for different geometrical constraints and interfacial conditions which are relevant to bilayer lipid vesicles, microemulsion particles and emulsion droplets