The Surface Force Apparatus allows the direct measurement of the interaction between two molecularly smooth surfaces (usually mica) in a crossed cylinders geometry. The separation between surfaces is measured interferometrically up to 0.1 nm resolution. The force is calculated from defl ection of a double cantilever spring with an accuracy of ca 10-8 N. The SFA is being successfully used to identify and quantify most of the fundamental interactions occurring between surfaces, namely van der Waals, electrostatic double-layer, hydration, hydrophobic and steric forces, in different colloidal systems.
(Sponsored by FRN.)

Contact person: Tommy Nylander