Article Type:
Research Article

Measurements of the Vapor Pressure of Supercooled Water Using Infrared Spectroscopy

Will Cantrell Department of Physics, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Michigan

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Eli Ochshorn Department of Physics, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Michigan

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Alexander Kostinski Department of Physics, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Michigan

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Keith Bozin Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, Michigan

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Print Publication:
01 Sep 2008
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/2008/JTECHA1028.1
Page(s):
1724–1729
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Abstract

Measurements are presented of the vapor pressure of supercooled water utilizing infrared spectroscopy, which enables unambiguous verification that the authors’ data correspond to the vapor pressure of liquid water, not a mixture of liquid water and ice. Values of the vapor pressure are in agreement with previous work. Below −13°C, the water film that is monitored to determine coexistence of liquid water (at one temperature) and ice (at another, higher, temperature) de-wets from the hydrophilic silicon prism employed in the authors’ apparatus. The de-wetting transition indicates a quantitative change in the structure of the supercooled liquid.

Corresponding author address: Will Cantrell, Dept. of Physics, Michigan Technological University, 1400 Townsend Dr., Houghton, MI 49931. Email: cantrell@mtu.edu

Abstract

Measurements are presented of the vapor pressure of supercooled water utilizing infrared spectroscopy, which enables unambiguous verification that the authors’ data correspond to the vapor pressure of liquid water, not a mixture of liquid water and ice. Values of the vapor pressure are in agreement with previous work. Below −13°C, the water film that is monitored to determine coexistence of liquid water (at one temperature) and ice (at another, higher, temperature) de-wets from the hydrophilic silicon prism employed in the authors’ apparatus. The de-wetting transition indicates a quantitative change in the structure of the supercooled liquid.

Corresponding author address: Will Cantrell, Dept. of Physics, Michigan Technological University, 1400 Townsend Dr., Houghton, MI 49931. Email: cantrell@mtu.edu

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Cover Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology
Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology

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