Analysis of a static undulation on the surface of a thin dielectric liquid layer formed by dielectrophoresis forces

Brown, Carl, McHale, Glen and Mottram, Nigel (2011) Analysis of a static undulation on the surface of a thin dielectric liquid layer formed by dielectrophoresis forces. Journal of Applied Physics, 110 (2). 024107. ISSN 0021-8979

Preview

PDF (Article) Postprint_McHale_JAP_vol_110_art_024107_2011.pdf - Accepted Version Download (749kB) | Preview

Abstract

A layer of insulating liquid of dielectric constant ɛOil and average thickness coats a flat surface at y = 0 at which a one-dimensional sinusoidal potential V(x,0) = VOcos(πx/p) is applied. Dielectrophoresis forces create a static undulation (or “wrinkle”) distortion h(x) of period p at the liquid/air interface. Analytical expressions have been derived for the electrostatic energy and the interfacial energy associated with the surface undulation when h(x) = -(1/2)Acos(2πx/p) yielding a scaling relationship for A as a function of , p, VO, ɛOil and the surface tension. The analysis is valid as A/p → 0, and in this limit convergence with numerical simulation of the system is shown.

Actions (login required)

View Item

Downloads