title: The transition from two-dimensional to three-dimensional foam structures.
abstract: Small cells in an experimental sample of two-dimensional foam, such as that which is contained between two glass plates, may undergo a transition to a three-dimensional form, becoming detached from one boundary. We present the first detailed observations of this phenomenon, together with computer simulations. The transition is attributed to an instability of the Rayleigh-Plateau type. A theoretical analysis is given which shows that an individual cell is susceptible to this instability only if it has less than six sides.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Cox
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Weaire
authors.affiliation: ICEMS, Instituto de Ciência e Engenharia de Materiais e Superfıcies, Departamento de Engenharia de Materiais, Instituto Superior Técnico, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1096 Lisboa Codex, Portugal, Lisboa Codex, Portugal.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fátima Vaz
keywords: PACS. 47.20.Dr Surface-tension-driven instability – 82.70.Rr Aerosols and foams