Spontaneous Curvature-Induced ``pearling'' Instability

We investigate the instability of AOT tubular fluid membranes, by introducing within the multilayer an alkane (Dodecane). We measure the wavelength of this instability versus the unperturbed radius of the tubules. To interpret this dependance we use a model that include not only the surface tension in the elastic energy, but the spontaneous curvature as well. The spontaneous curvature is induced by the presence of the oil in the bilayer of the membranes, and give a selection of a non-zero wavelength