Quantitative imaging of the complexity in liquid bubbles' evolution reveals the dynamics of film retraction

TL;DR

This paper introduces a holographic quantitative phase imaging technique to study the complex dynamics of liquid film retraction in bubbles, providing detailed 3D and temporal data to enhance understanding of thin film physics.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel holographic imaging method with high spatial and temporal resolution for analyzing bubble film evolution, enabling comprehensive quantitative analysis.

Findings

High-resolution 3D imaging of bubble dynamics

Quantitative thickness estimation of thin films

Fast acquisition enabling dynamic process analysis

Abstract

The dynamics and stability of thin liquid films have fascinated scientists over many decades. Thin film flows are central to numerous areas of engineering, geophysics, and biophysics and occur over a wide range of length, velocity, and liquid properties scales. In spite of many significant developments in this area, we still lack appropriate quantitative experimental tools with the spatial and temporal resolution necessary for a comprehensive study of film evolution. We propose tackling this problem with a holographic technique that combines quantitative phase imaging with a custom setup designed to form and manipulate bubbles. The results, gathered on a model aqueous polymeric solution, provide an unparalleled insight into bubble dynamics through the combination of full-field thickness estimation, three-dimensional imaging, and fast acquisition time. The unprecedented level of detail offered by the proposed methodology will promote a deeper understanding of the underlying physics of thin film dynamics.