Oscillations of a sessile droplet in contact and non-contact modes under an AC electric field

Abstract

In the present work we numerically investigate the oscillations of a sessile conducting droplet in the contact and non-contact modes under an alternating electric field. We show that the oscillations in the non-contact mode, where the needle electrode remains away from the drop, are caused by the electric forces due to charge accumulation at the apex of the drop. In the contact mode case, where the needle remains dipped inside the drop, the electric charge accumulates at the drop surface just above the dielectric coating with a maximum value near the three phase contact line. These charges push the three phase contact line outwards with an oscillatory force which leads to drop oscillations. We also observe that higher needle voltage (~1 kV) is required for the non-contact mode while considerably less potential (~10 V) is enough for the contact mode to cause drop oscillations.