We study the dewetting of liquid films capped by a thin elastomeric layer.
When the tension in the elastomer is isotropic, circular holes grow at a rate
which decreases with increasing tension. The morphology of holes and rim
stability can be controlled by changing the boundary conditions and tension in
the capping film. When the capping film is prepared with a biaxial tension,
holes form with a non-circular shape elongated along the high tension axis.
With suitable choice of elastic boundary conditions, samples can even be
designed such that square holes appear.
Authors
Schulman RD; Niven JF; Hack MA; DiMaria C; Dalnoki-Veress K