Effects of hydrodynamic film boundary conditions on bubble–wall impact

Nanoscale interfaces among liquids, solids and gases determine the macroscopic dynamics of a bubble (e.g. the terminal rise velocity and bouncing behavior). Here high-speed interferograms of liquid films created from rising and bouncing bubbles are compared against mobile and immobile interface models. Quantitative agreement of the thin film dynamics with lubrication theory is obtained. Bubbles in deionized water display mobile and immobile dynamics behavior: bubble-surface interactions suggest a mobile interface but its rise velocity is reduced by the immobile bubble interface at the rear.