Interfaces complexes

Physics of interfaces have enjoyed a renewed interest thanks to the introduction of new experimental tools and theoretical concepts able to design and rationalize interfaces with large degree of complexity (surfaces with controlled gaussian curvatures, liquid crystal shells), in which colloidal systems show original dynamics. Thanks to lithography and microfluidics, such complex interfaces are designed.

In this context, the main results of the group concern : (1) the design and characterization of liquid interfaces presenting complex morphologies and order and their coupling with colloidal particles trapped on them ; and (2) the study of equilibrium and non-equilibrium dynamics taking place at the interface of fluid with different degrees of complexity.

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[Legend : Smetic shell displaying a textural instability]

We have expertise with manipulations of particles based on optical tweezers or microfluidic approaches. We have also developed original experimental setups based on optical tools (microscopy, optical trappings, scattering, holography and ellipsometry) allow measuring diffusion coefficients, contact angles and interactions between colloids at these interfaces.