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Memory in a Contact Line

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Abstract

We investigate whether cyclically driving a liquid-solid-vapor contact line can encode memory. We use a syringe pump to infuse and withdraw a set volume of water in a narrow gap between the two glass plates. This allows for the shape of the contact line to change each time the system is driven. To analyze the evolution of the contact line, we take photos after each cycle. Comparing each subsequent image to each other, we find that the contact line may become reversible, so that its shape stops changing. This behavior is seen even at high volumes. This motivated the search for memory behavior in the contact line. We train the contact line with a certain volume to reach a steady state. This establishes a memory of the training volume that allows the steady state to be recovered by applying the training volume at a later time. This memory is erased by applying larger volumes, but not smaller volumes. These behaviors are reminiscent of return-point memory, best known in ferromagnets. Our results indicate memory exists, and that the trained volume can be stored as retrievable information in the contact line.

Authors

  • Esmeralda Orozco

    Department of Physics, California Polytechnic State University

  • Antara Bhattacharya

    SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Nevada, Reno, 89557, USA, School of Mathematics and Physics, the University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia, University of California, Berkeley, National Institute for Materials Science, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Santa Clara University, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, University of California San Diego, University of Nevada, Reno, Nihon University, Osaka U., LLNL, SLAC, U. of Nevada, Reno, California State University, Chico, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory; UC, Irvine, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Physics, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, Oak Ridge National Lab, Department of Physics, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407, USA, School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6021, New Zealand, California Polytechnic State University, University of California, Santa Barbara, Department of Physics, California Polytechnic State University, Victoria University of Wellington, Palo Alto High School, Palo Alto, CA, Navy Children School, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

  • Antara Bhattacharya

    SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Nevada, Reno, 89557, USA, School of Mathematics and Physics, the University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia, University of California, Berkeley, National Institute for Materials Science, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Santa Clara University, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, University of California San Diego, University of Nevada, Reno, Nihon University, Osaka U., LLNL, SLAC, U. of Nevada, Reno, California State University, Chico, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory; UC, Irvine, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Physics, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, Oak Ridge National Lab, Department of Physics, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407, USA, School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6021, New Zealand, California Polytechnic State University, University of California, Santa Barbara, Department of Physics, California Polytechnic State University, Victoria University of Wellington, Palo Alto High School, Palo Alto, CA, Navy Children School, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

  • Antara Bhattacharya

    SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Nevada, Reno, 89557, USA, School of Mathematics and Physics, the University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia, University of California, Berkeley, National Institute for Materials Science, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Santa Clara University, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, University of California San Diego, University of Nevada, Reno, Nihon University, Osaka U., LLNL, SLAC, U. of Nevada, Reno, California State University, Chico, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory; UC, Irvine, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Physics, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, Oak Ridge National Lab, Department of Physics, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407, USA, School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6021, New Zealand, California Polytechnic State University, University of California, Santa Barbara, Department of Physics, California Polytechnic State University, Victoria University of Wellington, Palo Alto High School, Palo Alto, CA, Navy Children School, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India