Nonlinear thin film rupture has been analyzed by investigating the stability of films under the influence of a nonuniform electrostatic field to finite amplitude disturbances. The dynamics of the liquid film is formulated using the Navier-Stokes equations including a body force term due to van der Waals attractions. The effect of the electric field is included in the analysis only in the boundary condition at the liquid vapor interface. The governing equation was solved by finite difference method as part of an initial value problem for spatial periodic boundary conditions. The electric field stabilizes the film and increases the time to rupture when a long wavelength perturbation is introduced.

Issue Section:
Research Papers
Topics:
Rupture, Boundary-value problems, Electric fields, Dynamics (Mechanics), Finite difference methods, Liquid films, Navier-Stokes equations, Stability, Thin films, Vapors, Wavelength
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