Measuring the thickness of soap bubbles with phase-shift interferometry

Year: 2013

Authors: Vannoni M., Sordini A., Gabrieli R., Melozzi M., Molesini G.

Autors Affiliation: CNR-Istituto Nazionale di Ottica, Largo E. Fermi 6, Firenze 50125, Italy;
Selex Galileo S.p.A, Via A. Einstein 35, Campi Bisenzio 50013, Italy

Abstract: A model for the optical path difference introduced by a soap bubble in transmission is described. The model is then used with interferometric data to solve for the fringe order, and to define a procedure to extract the global film thickness in presence of turbulence flows occurring during the drainage process due to gravity. Experimental results on soap bubbles examined in single-pass phase-shift interferometry are presented. (C) 2013 Optical Society of America

Journal/Review: OPTICS EXPRESS

Volume: 21 (17)      Pages from: 19657  to: 19667

More Information: This work was performed under the auspices of the Italian Space Agency (ASI), within the project Liquid Film Tensiometer (LIFT). LIFT is an interferometry-based experiment designed to produce, measure and control very thin water bubbles in a fluid matrix in a microgravity environment. Its scope is to study the mechanisms to create and control emulsions and foams with a view to several application domains (chemistry, food, pharmacology, biomedics, and more). LIFT is expected to be flown on the International Space Station. The authors thank the Italian Space Agency for kind permission to publish this work. We are also grateful to C.M.C. Gambi for valuable comments and discussions on the subject of liquid films, and to S. Acciai and M. D\’Uva for fabricating mechanical parts used in this study.
KeyWords: Phase shift; Phase shifters; Thickness measurement, Drainage process; Fringe orders; Interferometric data; Optical path difference; Phase shift interferometry; Soap bubbles; Turbulence flow, Interferometry
DOI: 10.1364/OE.21.019657

Citations: 15
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