An experimental study of the Saffman-Taylor instability
1987; Cambridge University Press; Volume: 177; Linguagem: Inglês
10.1017/s0022112087000867
ISSN1469-7645
AutoresP. Tabeling, Giovanni Zocchi, Albert Libchaber,
Tópico(s)Stochastic processes and statistical mechanics
ResumoAn experiment on the Saffman-Taylor instability with wetting fluids is presented that explores a greater range of capillary numbers than did the original experiment of Saffman and Taylor. It turns out that no clear one-half plateau for the finger size is observed, and that the ensemble of experiments cannot be analysed in terms of a single control parameter. The effect of the film of oil left behind the finger is important, and we measure its thickness. A qualitative discussion of the instabilities of the fingers for large capillary numbers is presented, the first instability leading to asymmetrical fingers. Tip splitting appears for larger values of 1/ B . The 1/ B value for the onset of instabilities is shown to be noise dependent.
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