Diffusion-Dominated Pinch-Off of Ultralow Surface Tension Fluids

We study the breakup of a liquid thread inside another liquid at different surface tensions. In general, the pinch-off of a liquid thread is governed by the dynamics of fluid flow. However, when the interfacial tension is ultralow (2 to 3 orders lower than normal liquids), we find that the pinch-off dynamics can be governed by bulk diffusion. By studying the velocity and the profile of the pinch-off, we explain why the diffusion-dominated pinch-off takes over the conventional breakup at ultralow surface tensions.