Light Scattering from Ultrathin Free Liquid Films: Variation of the Optical Functions with Geometry and Film Thickness*

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Abstract
Soap-type films can drain to 5 nm when properly stabilized. The light-scattering power of such liquid films was derived by Vrij, in terms of a rippling-slab model. The equations involve five rather complicated functions of the optical parameters: light wavelength, refractive index, angles of incidence and scattering, and the film thickness. The functions oscillate with film thickness. The variations are strictly periodic only in case the angles of incidence and scattering are equal when calculated from the film normal. Calculations are shown in which the film thickness varies from 0 to 50 000 nm. Results of calculations are displayed for the irradiance-modulated pattern. The range of validity of the film light-scattering theory is discussed in view of these results.

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