Work

Liquid Transport due to Light Scattering

Year: 2007

Type: article

Abstract: 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.

Source: Physical Review Letters

DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.98.133601

Authors: Robert D. Schroll, Régis Wunenburger, Alexis Casner, Wendy W. Zhang, Jean-Pierre Delville

Institutions: University of Chicago, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Bordeaux, Laboratoire Ondes et Matière d'Aquitaine, Université Bordeaux-I

Language: English

Topic: Fluid Dynamics and Heat Transfer

Subfield: Computational Mechanics

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Science Foundation, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Materials Research Science and Engineering Center, Harvard University, Division of Materials Research

Awards: G4738448618, Materials Research Science and Engineering Center