Stability of a finite-length rivulet under partial wetting conditions

We study the stability of a finite-length fluid rivulet at rest on a partially wetting surface. We consider the problem by including the intermolecular force (van der Waals interaction) within the framework of the lubrication approximation. The results are validated by comparison with numerical simulations of the full nonlinear equation. For finite length rivulets, we show that the distance between drops after breakup is very close to the wavelength of maximum growth rate predicted by the linear theory for infinite rivulets. Finally, we compare theoretical and numerical results with reported experimental data.

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