On formation and breakup of jets during droplet impact on oscillating substrates

Abstract Droplet impact on substrates is the cornerstone of several processes relevant to many industrial applications. Imposing substrate oscillation modifies the impact dynamics and can, therefore, be used to control the ensuing heat, mass, and energy transfer between the substrate and the impacting droplet. Previous research has shown that substrate oscillation strongly influences the spreading behavior of the droplet. In this study, we extend this understanding to examine how substrate oscillations can further modulate the retraction dynamics of the droplet, consequently affecting its long-term behavior, with a particular focus on induced jetting and subsequent breakup. We systematically examine the breakup of jets formed by the recoiling droplet through experimental investigations across a range of oscillation frequencies and amplitudes. Our findings reveal two distinct jet breakup modes: early and late, each governed by different time scales. Subsequently, we present a mechanistic description of the jetting process. Furthermore, we derive a simple scaling analysis based on energy balance to identify the critical condition required for jet breakup. Finally, we compare the experimental data with the scaling analyses to show its efficacy.