Liquid transport due to light scattering.
Using experiments and theory, we show that light scattering by inhomogeneities in the index of refraction of a fluid can drive a large-scale flow. The experiment uses a near-critical, phase-separated liquid, which experiences large fluctuations in its index of refraction. A laser beam traversing the liquid produces a interface deformation on the scale of the experimental setup and can cause a liquid jet to form. We demonstrate that the deformation is produced by a scattering-induced flow by obtaining good agreements between the measured deformations and those calculated assuming this mechanism.
Schroll
Robert D
RD
Physics Department and the James Franck Institute, University of Chicago, 929 East 57th Street, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
Wunenburger
Régis
R
Casner
Alexis
A
Zhang
Wendy W
WW
Delville
Jean-Pierre
JP