Characterization of the Micromechanics in a Compressed Emulsion System:   Force Distributions
  The micromechanics of a variety of systems experiencing a structural arrest due to their high density could be unified by a thermodynamic framework governing their approach to 'jammed' configurations. The mechanism of supporting an applied stress through the microstructure of these highly packed materials is important in inferring the features responsible for the inhomogeneous stress transmission and testing the universality for all jammed matter. In this paper we present a novel method for measuring the force distribution within the bulk of a compressed emulsion system using confocal microscopy and explain our results with a simple theoretical model and computer simulations. We obtain an exponential distribution at large forces and a small peak at small forces, in agreement with previous experimental and simulation data for other particulate systems. 
Jasna Brujic, Sam F. Edwards, Ian Hopkinson, and Hernan A. Makse