https://doi.org/10.1140/epje/i2008-10336-1
Bridging dielectric fluids by light: A ray optics approach
1
Physics Department and the James Franck Institute, University of Chicago, 929 East 57th Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60637, USA
2
Centre de Physique Moléculaire Optique et Hertzienne, Université Bordeaux I, CNRS, 351 Cours de la Libération, 33405, Talence Cedex, France
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Received:
11
March
2008
Revised:
7
May
2008
Published online:
20
June
2008
Abstract
Rayleigh-Plateau instability is known to impose a stability limit for the length of a liquid bridge in weightless conditions. This fundamental limit may be exceeded by using a light field to form and stabilize dielectric fluid bridges (A. Casner, J.P. Delville, Europhys. Lett. 65, 337 (2004)). Using both new experimental data as well as a new theoretical approach, we show that both the size and the stability of such light-sustained dielectric bridge can be qualitatively explained. We present a ray optics model that encompasses the competition between surface tension effects and optical radiation pressure arising from total internal reflection inside the bridge. A critical power below which a liquid bridge can no longer be sustained by light is predicted and confirmed experimentally. The observed power dependence of the bridge diameter also agrees with the proposed stabilization mechanism.
PACS: 47.20.Ma Interfacial instabilities (e.g., Rayleigh-Taylor) – / 42.25.Gy Edge and boundary effects; reflection and refraction – / 42.50.Wk Mechanical effects of light on material media, microstructures and particles – / 82.70.Kj Emulsions and suspensions –
© Springer, 2008
