Thermodynamic expressions for the Tolman length

The Tolman length delta [J. Chem. Phys. 17, 333 (1949)] measures the extent by which the surface tension of a small liquid drop deviates from its planar value. Despite increasing theoretical attention, debate continues on even the sign of Tolman's length for simple liquids. Recent thermodynamic treatments have proposed a relation between the Tolman length and the isothermal compressibility of the liquid at two-phase coexistence, delta approximate to-kappa(l)sigma. Here, we review the derivation of this relation and show how it is related to earlier thermodynamic expressions. Its applicability is discussed in the context of the squared-gradient model for the liquid-vapor interface. It is found that the relation is semiquantitatively correct for this model unless one is too close to the critical point. (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics.