Testing for scaling behavior dependence on geometrical and fluid parameters in the two fluid drop snap-off problem

We present experimental results on the snap-off dynamics of a drop with vis cosity lambda eta dripping through a fluid of viscosity eta. This paper foc uses on the Stokes regime where both the inner and outer fluid viscous stre sses are balanced by the pressure gradients arising from the interfacial cu rvature. We track the time dependence of the drop profiles near snap-off an d find that successive profiles can be rescaled onto a single curve. We exp lore the dependence of this scaling on the nozzle diameter, surface tension , density mismatch, and viscosity ratio lambda. We find that only lambda af fects the rescaled profile. Finally we investigate the dependence of the br eaking rate on lambda. (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics.