Direct measurement of the Laplace pressure in a very thin liquid film

Meniscus force plays an important part in magnetic storage devices, scanning probe microscopy, and micromachines, because the meniscus force increases steeply as the clearance between solid surfaces decreases down to submicrometers. Recently increased experimental and analytical studies on the subject have been published from the point of view of mechanical engineering. Meniscus force is generated by the Laplace pressure within the thin liquid film. Investigating the Laplace pressure is a direct way to clarify the generation mechanism of meniscus force. However, no appropriate measuring method of the Laplace pressure is available for a very thin liquid film confined by solid surfaces. This paper proposes a simple method of direct measurement of the Laplace pressure for the cases. The principle of the measurement method is described. Measurement is conducted using the measuring device. Experimental results on the Laplace pressure show good agreement with the theoretical predictions. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science.