How a laser impact fragments a liquid drop

ORAL

Abstract

The deposition of laser energy in a superficial layer of an unconfined liquid drop leads to propulsion, strong deformation of the drop into a thin sheet, and eventually fragmentation. Here we study the mechanisms leading to drop fragmentation by combining high-speed and stroboscopic imaging with analytical modelling. We investigate how ligaments and holes develop on the deforming drop, which eventually cause the drop to break up, and identify the dependence of this fragmentation process on the laser-pulse properties. We demonstrate that a Rayleigh-Taylor instability of the decelerating sheet rim leads to the formation of radial ligaments. The holes nucleating in the sheet result from a subtle interaction between the kinematic amplification of initial disturbances in the laser-beam profile and an intrinsic Rayleigh-Taylor instability caused by the rapid forward acceleration of the drop.

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Authors

  • Hanneke Gelderblom

    Physics of Fluids group, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, The Netherlands, Physics of Fluids, Faculty of Science \& Technology, University of Twente, The Netherlands, University of Twente

  • Alexander L. Klein

    Physics of Fluids, Faculty of Science \& Technology, University of Twente, The Netherlands

  • Henri Lhuissier

    IUSTI, Aix-Marseille Univ. & CNRS, France, IUSTI, Aix-Marseille Universit\'e, France, Aix Marseille Univ. & CNRS, IUSTI, Aix-Marseille Universit\'e

  • Detlef Lohse

    University of Twente, Physic of Fluids Group, University of Twente, Physics of Fluids Group, Mesa+ Institute and J.M. Burgers Centre for Fluid Dynamics, University of Twente, The Netherlands, Physics of Fluids, MESA+ institute, University of Twente, the Netherlands, Physics of Fluids Group, University of Twente, The Netherlands, Physics of Fluids group, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, The Netherlands, Physics of Fluids, Faculty of Science \& Technology, University of Twente, The Netherlands, Physics of Fluids Group, Faculty of Science and Technology, J. M. Burgers Center for Fluid Dynamics and MESA+ Institute, University of Twente, Physics of Fluids Group, University of Twente, The Netherlands., Physics of Fluids Group, University of Twente, Physics of Fluids, University of Twente

  • Emmanuel Villermaux

    IRPHE, Aix-Marseille Universit\'e, France, Aix-Marseille Univ., IRPHE, UMR 7342 CNRS, Centrale Marseille, Technopole de Château Gombert, 49 rue F. Joliot Curie, 13384 Marseille Cedex 13, France