Nonlinear dynamics of irradiated thin volatile liquid films

The dynamics of irradiated volatile thin liquid films is studied in the fra mework of long-wave theory. Strongly nonlinear evolution equations describi ng the spatio-temporal dynamics of the film in both the optically thin and thick cases are derived. Various kinds of time-dependent base states are fo und and their linear stability is considered using the quasi-steady method. The results of the numerical study of the governing evolution equations su pport the results of the linear analysis. It is found that irradiation can partially suppress the growth of the interfacial disturbance. The nonlinear effects accelerate the film rupture with respect to the disappearance time of the corresponding base state. The film rupture time is found to decreas e with the intensity of irradiation. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics . [S1070-6631(00)02001-8].