Electrohydrodynamic cone-jet bridges: Stability diagram and operating modes

An electrohydrodynamic cone-jet bridge is formed when two opposing Taylor cones are bridged by a liquid jet. We used high-speed video imaging to systematically investigate the operating regimes of the cone-jet bridge established between a nozzle and a liquid pool that were closely separated. There was a stability island for the cone-jet bridge in the voltage-flow rate operating diagram, and the stable bridge could only be formed above a minimum flow rate and at an intermediate range of voltages. In the vicinity of the stability island, the cone-jet bridge broke up via a thinning or beading mode.