Small-angle light scattering in dense microemulsions, transition from droplet to bicontinuous phase

We have performed extensive small-angle light scattering (SALS) measurements on a three-component microemulsion (AOT/decane/water) as a function of the dispersed phase concentration and the temperature. All samples have a water/AOT molar fraction w=40.8. Such a system presents a very complex phase diagram with many structural configurations. With the SALS technique, we have been able to observe all the phase separation lines. In particular we give details on the system structure on the percolation phenomenon and on the bicontinuous phase recently observed. In particular we show that the percolation is driven by a long-scale aggregation between microemulsion droplets.