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Sliding drops in the diffuse interface model coupled to hydrodynamics
U Thiele1, M G Velarde, K Neuffer
1Instituto Pluridisciplinar, Universidad Complutense, Paseo Juan XXIII, 1, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
Abstract:
Using a film thickness evolution equation derived recently combining long-wave approximation and diffuse interface theory [L. M. Pismen and Y. Pomeau, Phys. Rev. E 62, 2480 (2000)] we study one-dimensional surface profiles for a thin film on an inclined plane. We discuss stationary flat film and periodic solutions including their linear stability. Flat sliding drops are identified as universal profiles, whose main properties do not depend on mean film thickness. The flat drops are analyzed in detail, especially how their velocity, advancing and receding dynamic contact angles and plateau thicknesses depend on the inclination of the plane. A study of nonuniversal drops shows the existence of a dynamical wetting transition with hysteresis between droplike solutions and a flat film with small amplitude nonlinear waves.