Two-Dimensional Phase Transitions of a Surfactant Monolayer

Abstract

The phenomenon of phase transitions in two dimensions is of great fundamental interest and has therefore drawn a considerable amount of attention.1,2 Insoluble monomolecular layers at a water-air interface provide a quite ideal two-dimensional model system with an isotropic substrate and an easily controllable density of molecules. At low densities they often exhibit a two-dimensional gas behavior,3 whereas at higher densities transitions to liquid and solid states can be found. In many systems, the liquid phase is further divided into the so-called liquid-expanded (LE) and liquid-condensed (LC) phases.4 Though observed and intensively studied, the nature of the LE-LC phase transition is still controversial.KeywordsSurface PressureInduce PolarizationSecond HarmonicYttrium Aluminum Garnet LaserSecond Harmonic IntensityThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.