STRESS TENSOR OF CURVED INTERFACES

We use density functional theory to analyse the structure of the stres s tensor sigma for fluid interfaces of arbitrary shape, and determine the spatially non-local components of sigma that correspond to a descr iption with a semi-orthogonal set of coordinates (n, t1, t2). We then study a local, van der Waals-type, density functional with squared-Lap lacian term and arrive at closed and general expressions for the surfa ce tension gamma, the bending constants kappa and kappaBAR and the spo ntaneous curvature c0. These expressions have the same general form fo r all interfacial shapes, but their precise values are curvature-depen dent. In the case of gamma this dependence is that already known and m easured by the Tolman length delta. We discuss and compare our results with those of others and resolve existing discrepancies.