Optical studies of critical phenomena in macrofluid-like three-component microemulsions

Kerr-effect, low-angle laser light-scattering, dielectric time-domain-spectroscopy, and conductivity measurements (stationary and time-dependent both under low and high electrical fields) were carried out in a broad temperature region up to the phase separation temperature of water/Aerosol OT/ isooctane mixtures. From the new data it can be concluded that two independent critical phenomena are occurring. These are related to percolation and phase separation, respectively. The results strongly support the proposed formation of an infinite cluster and a particular percolative electric conduction mechanism.