DOMAIN GROWTH AND WETTING IN PHASE-SEPARATING FLUID MIXTURES

We present light scattering results from two different fluid mixtures undergoing phase separation next to a glass interface. We observe a ch aracteristic length scale L , which coarsens as a function of time L a pproximately t3/2. This growth is faster than any observed previously in bulk samples. The physical process responsible for it is the format ion of a wetting layer of one of the two coexisting phases next to the interface. We discuss recent theoretical attempts to explain the fast kinetic mode.