2026-07-072026-07-07http://salesiana.dossiersoluciones.com/handle/123456789/161898Free surfaces of liquids exhibit thermally excited (capillary) surface waves. We show that the surface roughness which results from capillary waves when a glassy material is cooled below the glass transition temperature can have a large influence on the contact mechanics between the solids. The theory suggest a new explanation for puzzling experimental results [L. Bureau, T. Baumberger and C. Caroli, arXiv:cond-mat/0510232] about the dependence of the frictional shear stress on the load for contact between a glassy polymer lens and flat substrates. It also lend support for a recently developed contact mechanics theory.4 pages, 2 figuresSoft Condensed MatterInfluence of frozen capillary waves on contact mechanicstext