Line Tension in a Thick Soap Film

The thickness of freshly made soap films is usually in the micron range, and interference colors make thickness fluctuations easily visible. Circular patterns of constant thickness are commonly observed, either a thin film disc in a thicker film or the reverse. In this Letter, we evidence the line tension at the origin of these circular patterns. Using a well controlled soap film preparation, we produce a piece of thin film surrounded by a thicker film. The thickness profile, measured with a spectral camera, leads to a line tension of the order of 10-10 N which drives the relaxation of the thin film shape, initially very elongated, toward a circular shape. A balance between line tension and air friction leads to a quantitative prediction of the relaxation process. Such a line tension is expected to play a role in the production of marginal regeneration patches, involved in soap film drainage and stability.