Sandia Corporation

Ohio Aerospace Institute

J Adin Mann, Jr

William V Meyer

Anthony E Smart

Robert R Rye

Frederick G Yost

H Michael Cheung

David S Cannell

James A Lock

Padetha Tin

Jixiang Zhu

Thomas W Taylor

A method and apparatus for analyzing a fluid containing light scattering components. The apparatus includes a laser adapted to direct abeam of light into the fluid such as a liquid containing particles, and at least two detectors to receive light scattered by the fluid, which received light is used to calculate a physical property of the fluid. A focusing lens may be used to focus the light beam to a focal waist in the fluid to enhance the degree of spatial coherence of the scattered light. The two detectors are aligned onto the focal waist and are adapted to send a signal to a data processor which correlates the signal received from said two detectors. The two detectors are spaced a substantially equal distance from the focal waist and are oriented at substantially the same angle with respect to the direction of propagation of the incident beam. The data processor is adapted to cross-correlate the signals received from the two detectors. A polarizer can be positioned between the focal waist and the two detectors to aid in positioning the detectors and to enhance the efficiency and speed of the measurement.

Cross-correlation method and apparatus for suppressing the effects of

An open-channel capillary is provided, having preferably a v-shaped groove in a flat wettable surface. The groove has timing marks and a source marker in which the specimen to be tested is deposited. The time of passage between the timing marks is recorded, and the ratio of surface tension .gamma. to viscosity .mu. is determined from the equation given below: ##EQU1## where h.sub.0 is the groove depth, .alpha. is the groove angle, .theta. is the liquid/solid contact angle, and t is the flow time. It has been shown by the inventors that the kinetics are only at most a weak function of K(.alpha.,.theta.); moreover, a wide range of theoretical assumptions show comparable numerical values for K(.alpha.,.theta.). .gamma..div..mu. and h.sub.0 are the only parameters. With the depth of the groove being an experimentally controllable parameter, the ratio of .gamma..div..mu. is the only free parameter. The value of .gamma..div..mu. can be determined from plots of z.sup.2 v. t by taking the slope of the curve for measured value of h.sub.0.

Measurement of surface tension and viscosity by open capillary techniques

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Cleveland Heights, OH, United States of America

J Adin Mann, Jr