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Updated: Feb 25, 2026

Cooling Rate Dependent Ellipsometry Measurements to Determine the Dynamics of Thin Glassy Films
Published on: January 26, 2016
Liquid droplets on a free-standing glassy membrane: Deformation through the glass transition
Adam Fortais1, Rafael D Schulman1, Kari Dalnoki-Veress2,3
1Department of Physics & Astronomy, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
Abstract:
In this study, micro-droplets are placed on thin, glassy, free-standing films where the Laplace pressure of the droplet deforms the free-standing film, creating a bulge. The film's tension is modulated by changing temperature continuously from well below the glass transition into the melt state of the film. The contact angle of the liquid droplet with the planar film as well as the angle of the bulge with the film are measured and found to be consistent with the contact angles predicted by a force balance at the contact line.
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