Singularity dynamics in curvature collapse and jet eruption on a fluid surface
Finite-time singularities-local divergences in the amplitude or gradient of a physical observable at a particular time-occur in a diverse range of physical systems. Examples include singularities capable of damaging optical fibres and lasers in nonlinear optical systems, and gravitational singularit...
Saved in:
Published in | Nature (London) Vol. 403; no. 6768; pp. 401 - 404 |
---|---|
Main Authors | , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
London
Nature Publishing
27.01.2000
Nature Publishing Group |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
Cover
Loading…
Summary: | Finite-time singularities-local divergences in the amplitude or gradient
of a physical observable at a particular time-occur in a diverse range
of physical systems. Examples include singularities capable of damaging optical
fibres and lasers in nonlinear optical systems, and gravitational
singularities associated with black holes. In fluid systems,
the formation of finite-time singularities cause spray and air-bubble entrainment, processes which influence air-sea interaction on a global
scale. Singularities driven by surface tension have been
studied in the break-up of pendant drops and liquid
sheets. Here we report a theoretical and experimental
study of the generation of a singularity by inertial focusing, in which no
break-up of the fluid surface occurs. Inertial forces cause a collapse of
the surface that leads to jet formation; our analysis, which includes surface
tension effects, predicts that the surface profiles should be describable
by a single universal exponent. These theoretical predictions correlate closely
with our experimental measurements of a collapsing surface singularity. The
solution can be generalized to apply to a broad class of singular phenomena. |
---|---|
Bibliography: | ObjectType-Article-2 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-1 content type line 23 ObjectType-Article-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 |
ISSN: | 0028-0836 1476-4687 |
DOI: | 10.1038/35000151 |