Asymmetric bubble disconnection: persistent vibration evolves into smooth contact

Abstract

Focusing a finite amount of energy dynamically into a vanishingly small amount of material requires that the initial condition be perfectly symmetric. In reality, imperfections are always present and cut-off the approach towards the focusing singularity. The disconnection of an underwater bubble provides a simple example of this process. An initial asymmetry in the shape of the bubble neck excites vibrations that persist over time. Often the vibrations evolve into a smooth contact that severs the neck into several lobes.

4 pages, 4 figures

References in corpus (4)

• Asphericity in Supernova Explosions from Late-Time Spectroscopy
• Giant bubble pinch-off
• Breakup of Air Bubbles in Water: Memory and Breakdown of Cylindrical Symmetry
• Bubble break-off in Hele-Shaw flows : Singularities and integrable structures