Theory of light scattering from fluctuations of membranes and monolayers

Abstract

General linear viscoelastic response relations are used to obtain the long-wavelength fluctuations of a thin membrane separating two viscous fluids. The intensity and spectrum of coherent light scattered inelastically from thermal fluctuations are calculated. It is found that the intensity is large enough to allow measurements on black membranes. Our theory includes clean surfaces, interfaces, and insoluble monolayers as special cases.