Surfactants dynamics at interfaces [Elektronische Ressource] : a series of second harmonic generation experiments / von Audrée Andersen

Aus dem Max-Planck-Institut für Kolloid- und Grenzflächenforschung Abteilung Grenzflächen ___________________________________________________________________________________ Surfactants Dynamics at Interfaces A series of Second Harmonic Generation experiments Dissertation zur Erlangung des akademischen Grades "doctor rerum naturalium" (Dr. rer. nat.) in der Wissenschaftsdisziplin "Physikalische Chemie" eingereicht an der Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftlichen Fakultät der Universität Potsdam von Audrée Andersen Geboren am 31. Juli 1979 in Québec, Kanada Potsdam, den 10 Oktober 2005 Le commencement de toutes les sciences, c'est l'étonnement de ce que les choses sont ce qu'elles sont. Aristote, Métaphysique, I, 2. Preface PREFACE Interfaces are present throughout our everyday world; they separate different bulk regions of matter. Interfaces are interesting because they exhibit properties and behaviours that are very different from the adjacent bulk phases. Given their unique properties, interfaces play a central role in nature and within a variety of technological applications. For instance, catalytic reactions often occur at an interface. Amphiphiles are molecules that possess a polar lyophilic head and a non-polar lyophobic tail.