Shear-induced critical dynamics in a nonionic micellar solution

Shear-induced critical dynamics in a nonionic micellar solution has been investigated by measuring the viscosity {η} as a function of the shear rate S and a characteristic crossover temperature associated with S. The viscosity very close to Tc varies as S^-ω with {ω}=0.021±{}0.003 in excellent agreement with the expected value of {ω}=0.021. We also find a simple scaling relation between the temperature dependence and shear-rate dependence of {η}. In addition, we confirm the feasibility of observing phase-separation dynamics near the critical point by shear quenching.