Nanoscale deformation of a liquid surface

We study the interaction between a solid particle and a liquid interface. A semianalytical solution of the nonlinear equation that describes the interface deformation points out the existence of a bifurcation behavior for the apex deformation as a function of the distance. We show that the apex curv...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physical review letters 2012-03, Vol.108 (10), p.106104-106104, Article 106104
Main Authors: Ledesma-Alonso, Rene, Legendre, Dominique, Tordjeman, Philippe
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Chemistry, Physical - methods
Engineering Sciences
Kinetics
Micro and nanotechnologies
Microelectronics
Microscopy, Atomic Force - methods
Models, Chemical
Nanotechnology - methods
Nonlinear Dynamics
Surface Properties
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:We study the interaction between a solid particle and a liquid interface. A semianalytical solution of the nonlinear equation that describes the interface deformation points out the existence of a bifurcation behavior for the apex deformation as a function of the distance. We show that the apex curvature obeys a simple power-law dependency on the deformation. Relationships between physical parameters disclose the threshold distance at which the particle can approach the liquid before capillarity provokes a "jump to contact." A prediction of the interface original position before deformation takes place, as well as the attraction force measured by an approaching probe, are produced. The results of our analysis agree with the force curves obtained from atomic force microscopy experiments over a liquid puddle.
ISSN:0031-9007
1079-7114
DOI:10.1103/PhysRevLett.108.106104