Mecke K (1999)
Publication Status: Published
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 1999
Publisher: AMERICAN PHYSICAL SOC
Book Volume: 59
Pages Range: 6766-6784
Journal Issue: 6
Starting from a density functional theory for inhomogeneous fluids we derive an effective Hamiltonian for liquid-vapor interfaces of simple fluids which goes beyond the common phenomenological capillary-wave description. in contrast to other approaches we take into account the long-ranged power-law decay of the dispersion forces between the fluid particles which changes the functional form of the wave-vector-dependent surface tension qualitatively. In particular, we find two different forms of the bending rigidity for the capillary waves, a negative one for small wave vectors determined by the long-ranged dispersion forces and a positive rigidity for large wave vectors due to the distortions of the intrinsic density profile in the vicinity of the locally curved interface. The differences to the standard capillary-wave theory and the relevance of these results for the interpretation of scattering experiments are discussed.
APA:
Mecke, K. (1999). Effective Hamiltonian for liquid-vapor interfaces. Physical Review E, 59(6), 6766-6784.
MLA:
Mecke, Klaus. "Effective Hamiltonian for liquid-vapor interfaces." Physical Review E 59.6 (1999): 6766-6784.
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