When fluids are confined within narrow spaces, their phase equilibria,
structural, and dynamical properties become quantitatively and qualit
atively different from their bulk values. The conditions obtained at t
hermodynamic equilibrium between a thin film and bulk fluid are derive
d in this paper. It is shown that the film thickness and film tension
are new thermodynamic parameters. Because the thin film has properties
distinct from that of the bulk fluid, it is possible for fluid to exi
st along planar boundaries even for systems characterized by non zero
dihedral angles. For a stable thin film to exist, it is necessary that
the ''disjoining pressure'' be positive or replusive. An analysis of
the disjoining pressure for a basalt melt-peridotite system indicates
that a thin basalt liquid film may exist at interphase boundaries.