Liquid Surfaces and Interfaces
Synchrotron X-ray Methods

The availability of synchrotron x-ray sources and the subsequent developments described in this book have led to substantial progress in our understanding of molecular ordering at liquid interfaces. This practical guide enables graduate students and researchers working in physics, chemistry, biology and materials science to understand and carry out experimental investigations into the basic physical and chemical properties of liquid surfaces and interfaces. The book examines the surfaces of bulk liquids, thin wetting films and buried liquid-liquid interfaces. It discusses experiments on simple and complex fluids, including pure water and organic liquids, liquid crystals, liquid metals, electrified liquid-liquid interfaces and interfacial monolayers of amphiphiles, nanoparticles, polymers and biomolecules. A detailed description of the apparatus and techniques required for these experiments is provided, and theoretical approaches to data analysis are described, including approximate methods such as the Master formula, the Born approximation, Parratt's algorithm and the Distorted Wave Approximation.

1. Introduction; 2. Instrumentation; 3. Theory of x-ray scattering from liquid surfaces; 4. Experiments on liquid surfaces and interfaces.

Peter S. Pershan is Frank B. Baird, Jr Professor of Science in the Physics Department and the School of Engineering and Applied Science at Harvard University. In the early 1980s he helped produce the first synchrotron x-ray reflectometer for the study of the horizontal liquid surface. He has since led the liquid surface field in exploration of such diverse liquid surfaces as superfluid helium, water and liquid metals.
Mark L. Schlossman is a Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Illinois, Chicago. He built an x-ray reflectometer at the NSLS that subsequently served as a prototype when he helped design the ChemMatCARS instrument featured in the book. His use of both reflectometers led to pioneering studies of the structure of liquid-liquid interfaces.