Application of photoacoustic spectroscopy to studies of thin olive oil layers on water

Thin layers of oil spread on the water surface were studied by photoacousti c spectroscopy (PAS) methods and discussed in terms of their structural and thermal properties. Signatures of the depth profiles derived from the sign al amplitude-phase data point to the sharp phase separation at the interfac es and suggest the formation of organized structures (lamellar, inverted la mellar micelles) of surfactants dissolved in a non-polar (oil) medium.