Determination of droplet morphology by laser reflection interferometry

Area of Science:

• Physics
• Surface Science
• Optical Metrology

Background:

• Accurate measurement of droplet dimensions and interfacial properties is crucial in fields like materials science and fluid dynamics.
• Traditional methods for sessile droplet analysis can be complex or limited in real-time application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a non-invasive optical technique for precise characterization of sessile droplets.
• To enable simultaneous determination of droplet size, profile, and contact angle.

Main Methods:

• A reflection-interference technique utilizing light beams reflected from the droplet surface is employed.
• Interference fringes generated by the reflected light are analyzed to extract dimensional and geometric information.
• The height and width of fringe patterns directly correlate with droplet size and profile.

Main Results:

• The developed technique successfully produces clear interference fringes from sessile droplets.
• Quantitative evaluation of instantaneous droplet size and profile is achieved through fringe pattern analysis.
• Accurate determination of the contact angle between the droplet and the substrate is demonstrated.

Conclusions:

• The reflection-interference method provides a robust and accurate approach for sessile droplet characterization.
• This technique offers a valuable tool for real-time monitoring of droplet behavior and surface interactions.
• The method's ability to determine size, profile, and contact angle enhances its applicability in scientific research and industrial processes.