title: Self-similarity and energy dissipation in stepped polymer films.
abstract: The surface of a thin liquid film with a nonconstant curvature is unstable, as the Laplace pressure drives a flow mediated by viscosity. We present the results of experiments on one of the simplest variable curvature surfaces: a thin polymer film with a step. Height profiles are measured as a function of time for a variety of molecular weights. The evolution of the profiles is shown to be self-similar. This self-similarity offers a precise measurement of the capillary velocity by comparison with numerical solutions of the thin film equation. We also derive a master expression for the time dependence of the excess free energy as a function of the material properties and film geometry. The experiment and theory are in excellent agreement and indicate the effectiveness of stepped polymer films to elucidate nanoscale rheological properties.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Astronomy, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada.
authors.forename: Joshua D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: McGraw
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Salez
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Bäumchen
authors.forename: Elie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Raphaël
authors.forename: Kari
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dalnoki-Veress