Most of the diffusion controlled phenomena are adequately described by Fick's law of diffusion. Fick's first law relates the flux with the concentration gradient while Fick's second law relates the rate of diffusion with the derivative of the concentration gradient. Thus, the concentration gradient and the kinetics are the most important parameters for characterizing a substrate-analyte combination. Direct, non-destructive measurement of these parameters have been possible by the introduction of a terahertz scanning reflectometer by Applied Research & Photonics in 2011. Terahertz radiation can be selectively focused on an interior layer of skin or a multi-layered laminate. Thus a given layer can be interrogated on its own plane even if it is in the interior of a composite. This is important for detection of defects of a given layer and/or for measurement of layers dissimilar materials. This talk will describe the results of direct diffusion measurements of several anlytes and solvents in a synthetic bio membrane.

Fick's law characterization of diffusion properties of bio membranes by terahertz reflectometry

247th National Meeting (2014)

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