An experimental technique to measure the capillary waves in electrified microjets

Emilio José Vega, José María Montanero and Noelia Rebollo-Muñoz

Department of Mechanical, Energetic and Material Engineering, Extremadura University, Avda. de Elvas s/n, 06006 Badajoz, SPAIN
E-mail: ejvega@unex.es

Published online: 16 April 2012

Abstract

Backlight optical imaging is an experimental technique with an enormous potential in microfluidics to study very varied fluid configurations and phenomena. In this paper, we show the capability of this technique to precisely characterize the capillary waves growing in electrified microjets. For this purpose, images of electrified liquid jets formed by electrospray were acquired and processed using a sub-pixel resolution technique. Our results reflect the validity and usefulness of optical imaging for this type of application.