Initial inter-phase transport of compounds in a model emulsion system

Three-phase geranyl acetate emulsions stabilized by a non-ionic surfactant, Laureth 4, were prepared with a constant weight fraction of a lamellar liquid crystal and varied aqueous to oil phase weight ratios according to the phase diagram. The appearance and micrographs of the drop pattern versus time were recorded. As expected, emulsions with the lower values of the water to oil (W/O) ratio appeared to be of the W/O variety while the two more stable emulsions with the highest W/O ratio appeared as oil to water (O/W). Considering the surfactant exclusive solubility in the oil, this result was unexpected and the emulsions were investigated as to their structure. Unpredictably, all the emulsions were of the O/W kind; including the highest ratio of oil to water. The reason for this unanticipated outcome was the lamellar liquid crystal being dispersed into the aqueous phase at the slightest perturbation.     

Foams from non-aqueous systems

The multi-phase approach to clarify the fundamentals of the stability of foams from non-aqueous liquids has been further developed. The two-phase liquid/liquid crystal line of attack for the liquid oil variety has been extended to foams stabilized by solid particles, in turn leading to progress in the fundamental science of solid metal foams and plastic foams.     

Spatial light modulator as a reconfigurable intracavity dispersive element for tunable lasers

An improved approach for narrow-band wavelength selection in tunable lasers is described. To provide the tunability, a reconfigurable diffractive optical element (DOE) based on a programmable spatial light modulator (PSLM) is applied. With a proper choice of the phase transfer function of the PSLM, the device can be used as a dispersive intra-cavity component for precise tuning within the lasing spectral band of a solid-state dye laser. The suggested design allows avoiding the mechanical movement of any cavity components. The tunability performance and simulation are demonstrated using the Fourier optics method.     

Coherence and polarization properties of a three-dimensional, primary, quasi-homogeneous, and isotropic source and its far field

We study the spatial coherence properties of a three-dimensional, primary, quasi-homogeneous, and isotropic source and the far field that it generates. We assess the spectrum, degree of polarization, electromagnetic degree of coherence, and effective degree of coherence of the source and of the far field. We also demonstrate the formalism for a spherical Gaussian Schell-model current source. The polarization properties of light are fully accounted for in the analysis, and it is found that certain results pertaining to scalar coherence theory are reproduced also within the electromagnetic treatment.     

Communication modes in vector diffraction

The communication modes, which mathematically correspond to singular value decomposition, have proven a useful concept in optical scalar-field diffraction, with applications in resolution studies, image synthesis, and wave propagation. For optical near-field geometries the communication modes have to be extended to electromagnetic field accounting for the polarization properties. In this paper we present the vector-valued communication modes method based on the rigorous electric-field diffraction integral. As a special case the transverse-electric scalar field modes are obtained. The intensity and polarization properties of the leading electromagnetic communication modes in near-field arrangements with rectangular apertures are discussed in terms of the Stokes parameters. For small separations between the transmitting and receiving apertures the fundamental mode possesses a ring-shaped hollow structure. The polarization properties of the near-field modes show features on spatial scales smaller than the wavelength of light. The system symmetries lead to degenerate communication modes.     

FRAGRANCE EMULSIONS STABILIZED BY A TRIBLOCK COPOLYMER

The phase diagram was determined of the system a fragrance oil, phenethyl alcohol, a commercial triblock copolymer, PE/L101, and water. The stability of emulsions containing 95 wt% water and various amounts of the fragrance and polymer was investigated both visually and with the aid of an optical microscope. The stability of the two-phase emulsions was explained through the interfacial behavior of the polymer and the density change of the oil phase. Double emulsions were found to form when the oil phase composition is close to that of the L₂ phase with maximum water solubilization.     

Solubilization of an Ionic Liquid,l-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium Hexafluorophosphate,in a Surfactant-Water System

The amphiphilic association structures were determined in the system; water, Laureth 4 (approximately C₁₂(EO) ₄), and the ionic liquid l-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([bmim[PF₆]), using visual observation and small angle x-ray diffraction. The system showed a lamellar liquid crystal solubilizing the ionic liquid ([bmim[PF₆]) to a maximum of 15%, an isotropic surfactant solution dissolving the ionic liquid to a maximum of 39%, an isotropic ionic liquid solution with less than 0.5% of water and surfactant and finally, an aqueous solution with only traces of surfactant and ionic liquid. The small angle x-ray diffraction results showed the ionic liquid to be solubilized into the lamellar liquid crystal without changing the dimensions of the amphiphile layer or the interlayer spacing dependence on the water content.     

ASSOCIATION STRUCTURES IN A W/O MICROEMULSION FROM FLUORESCENCE MEASUREMENTS

Fluorescence probing was combined with light scattering measurements to determine association structures in W/O microemulsion. The results showed the microemulsions at low water content to contain aggregates with only one surfactant while association to inverse micelles took place first at higher water content. Adding different hydrocarbons showed a change of the association concentration with the nature of the hydrocarbon. An aromatic hydrocarbon significantly reduced the water concentration for association while aliphatic hydrocarbons showed less influence.     

Some Emulsion Features

Traditionally, emulsions have been defined as consisting of two liquids, of which one is dispersed in the other as macroscopic drops, stabilized by mono‐molecular layer of surfactant at the interface. However, a large majority of commercial emulsions are more complex than so and the added elements are essential for the properties of the emulsions including their stability.

With this in mind, this treatment of emulsions is divided into emulsions with mono‐layers and multilayers at the interface. In addition, additional elements in emulsions are described; such as lyotropic liquid crystals, vesicles, microemulsion droplets and solid particles, and their potential influence on the emulsion properties is indicated.