Light scattering from the free surface of water

Abstract

The spectrum of light scattered by thermally excited surface waves on water has been investigated and the value of the surface tension and, after careful analysis of instrumental broadening, the value of the viscosity determined. The results are in good agreement with those obtained by more conventional techniques. In contrast to a recent report by McQueen and Lundström (ref. (1)) who also performed a light scattering experiment, an anomalously high viscosity was not found. These authors invoked the concept of a highly structured surface region, in order to interpret their data. This region probably does not exist.