Abstract

The absorption of a monolayer of amphiphilic or surfactant molecules onto a surface can dramatically affect a number of the macroscopic properties of that surface. These properties, such as wetting by a fluid, lubrication of the solid, or chemical reactions of the surface, are of fundamental as well as technological importance. Our studies have focussed on the molecular scale structure of these monolayers and have attempted to probe how the structure depends on the deposition process used to absorb the monolayers. Further, by studying the molecular aspects of surfactant coated surfaces, we hope to gain insight into the nature of wetting and the other macroscopic phenomena which are profoundly affected by the presence of the surfactant monolayer.

© 1985 Optical Society of America