Soret effect in thin liquid films: Localized running drops, holes and stripes

¹ Department of Theoretical Physics II, Brandenburg University of Technology Erich-Weinert-Strasse 1, 03046-Cottbus, Germany
² “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University, Faculty of Physics Department of Solid State & Theoretical Physics Blvd. Carol I, 11, 700506-Iasi, Romania

Received: 20 February 2006
Accepted: 10 May 2006

Abstract

We examine oscillatory instabilities occurring in a thin liquid film of a binary mixture with large lateral extension. The theoretical model is based on the long-wave approximation for thin films. Linear stability analysis is performed in order to predict the film behavior at onset. Applying 2D and 3D nonlinear simulations soliton-like structures are observed in the oscillatory regime.