The laser interferometric method and high-speed camera techniques are used to study dynamic characteristics of the microlayer beneath an ethanol vapor bubble during nucleation process. Clear fringe patterns of the microlayer are captured showing the movement of the gas-liquid-solid triple contact line, the dynamic changes of the micro-contact angle, bubble root radius, and volume of the microlayer during the bubble nucleation process before and after dried out have occurred. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.