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CPP: Fachverband Chemische Physik und Polymerphysik

CPP 2: Interfaces and Thin Films I (joint session with DECHEMA and VDI)

CPP 2.8: Talk

Monday, March 11, 2013, 11:45–12:00, H40

Between soap bubbles and vesicles: Dynamics of smectic bubbles — •Kathrin May, Kirsten Harth, Torsten Trittel, and Ralf Stannarius — Institute of Experimental Physics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany

Smectic bubbles are ideal model systems to study thin closed liquid membranes. A preparation technique for these meniscus-free smectic bubbles is presented. The initially oblong-shaped bubbles perform shape transformations towards the equilibrium sphere shape with minimum surface. The monitoring of these processes is done by optical high-speed imaging. Their shape transformations, especially the changes of the surface area, are analyzed and their dynamic characteristics are compared to classical soap bubbles and vesicles. Small submillimeter bubbles can be studied under normal gravity laboratory conditions. Larger bubbles have been investigated during parabolic flights, which provide a 22 s microgravity phase.