Numerical simulation of universal morphogenesis of fluid interface deformations driven by radiation pressure

Abstract

We report on ab initio simulation of fluid interface deformations induced either by acoustic or optical radiation pressure. This is done by solving simultaneously the scalar wave propagation equation and the two-phase flow equations using the boundary element method. Using dimensional analysis, we show that interface deformation morphogenesis is universal, i.e. depends on the same dimensionless parameters in acoustics and electromagnetics. We numerically investigate a few selected phenomena -- in particular the shape of large deformations, the slenderness transition and its hysteresis -- and compare with existing and novel experimental observations. Qualitative agreement between the numerical simulations and experiments is found when the mutual interaction between wave propagation and wave-induced deformations is taken into account. Our results demonstrate the leading role of the radiation pressure in morphogenesis of fluid interface deformations and the importance of the propagation-deformation interplay .