Novel method for measuring surface tension

It is shown that the observed geometry of an electrostatic deformation of a liquid surface can be used for the measurement of surface tension. Based on simulations and measurements, an empirical formula for the relation between the shape of the deformation and the surface tension is derived and discussed. A novel method for high resolution measurements of the surface tension using interferometry of an electrostatically deformed liquid surface is presented and investigated.

► Contactless method for measuring surface tension.
► Electrostatically induced liquid surface deformation.
► High resolution measurement of deformation width.