Surface deformation of a thin liquid film under infrared radiation

A thin layer of decane liquid floating above the surface of water is compressed in thickness when exposed to a radiation by an infrared laser in normal incidence. This is believed to result from an inward radiation pressure received by the decane film as light crosses successively the air-decane interface and the decane-water interface. The experimental results support Abraham's formulation for the momentum of light. Thermo-effects may also contribute.