Oscillating droplets by decomposition on the spherical harmonics basis.
In the framework of Rayleigh's description, we have investigated the eigenfrequencies of the capillary waves of a nonwetting droplet under forced oscillations (pointlike force). The theoretical model using the spherical harmonics Y(l,m)(theta, phi) as a part of the solution of the Laplace equation, is in good agreement with the experimental results. This model can be generalized for all kinds of excitations with a sitting or a levitating droplet due to the decomposition of the excitation on the spherical harmonics basis. From this study, a different theoretical way of interpreting droplet bouncing is presented motivating a wide range of industrial applications.
Courty
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S
Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom. sebastien.courty@lkb.ens.fr
Lagubeau
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G
Tixier
T
T