Visualization of hydrodynamic pilot-wave dynamics

ORAL

Abstract

We present a low-cost device for examining the dynamics of droplets bouncing on a vibrating fluid bath, suitable for educational purposes. Dual control of vibrational and strobing frequency from a cell phone application allowed us to reduce the total cost to 60 dollars. Illumination with inhomogeneous colored light allows for striking visualization of the droplet dynamics and accompanying wave field via still photography or high-speed videography.

Authors

  • Victor Prost

    MIT

  • Julio Quintela

    MIT

  • Daniel Harris

    UNC, UNC, Chapel Hill

  • Pierre-Thomas Brun

    MIT

  • John Bush

    MIT, MIT, Department of Mathematics