Fluctuations of spherical microemulsions

Abstract

A statistical model for microemulsions is used to study the stability of a single phase of spherical droplets to thermal fluctuations. The amplitude of size (l=0 spherical harmonics) and shape (l=2) fluctuations are calculated as a function of the concentration and temperature. The divergences in these fluctuations are shown to define a range of stability for the spherical droplet phase.