MODE MIXING OF LIQUID SURFACE-WAVES

High frequency capillary waves on the surface of dilute aqueous soluti ons of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide have been studied by quasielasti c light scattering. The wave propagation deviates significantly from c lassical expectation, due to enhanced coupling between the capillary a nd dilational modes of the surface. At a concentration of 0.04mM the c apillary wave behavior clearly demonstrates mixing of these two surfac e modes. The effects appear to derive from a reduction in the stabilit y of the dilational waves.