Water at a Hydrophobic Surface

It has been proposed that a low-density water layer forms at the hydrophobic/water interface, yet the evidence is mixed. We have investigated this using phase-modulated ellipsometry and many experimental conditions. Using water of various compositions and a wide assortment of hydrophobic surfaces prepared by different methods, we find that the proposed effect under some circumstances, and fail to find it under other circumstances. This provides a pleasing resolution to controversies in the literature.