Regensburg 2004 – scientific programme

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DY: Dynamik und Statistische Physik

DY 26: General Statistical Physics

DY 26.5: Talk

Tuesday, March 9, 2004, 17:45–18:00, H2

Three-phase contact line interface profiles in electric fields — •Juergen Buehrle, Stephan Herminghaus, and Frieder Mugele — University of Ulm; Applied Physics Department; D-89069 Ulm

Conductive or electrolytic liquid droplets in electric fields assume an apparent contact angle (the angle assumed by the droplet shape far away from the contact line) which is different from Young’s angle. This effect was investigated in detail and new quantitative expressions for the contact angle deviation are derived. In the vicinity of the contact line long-range electric fields deform the liquid interface profile. We have investigated the equilibrium profiles by balancing electrostatic and capillary forces locally at the liquid vapor interface. Numerical results suggest that the contact angle at the contact line is equal to Young’s angle. Simultaneously, the local curvature displays a weak algebraic divergence. We present an asymptotic analytical model, which confirms these results and elucidates the scaling behavior of the profile close to the contact line. (see also J. Buehrle, S. Herminghaus, and F. Mugele, Phys. Rev. Lett., 2003, 91, 86101)