Interfacial instability as an explanation of EHD time delays

Abstract

The application of a large step voltage to plane parallel electrodes in dielectric liquids gives rise to electrohydrodynamic (EHD) motion after a small time delay. It has been usual to explain the delay in terms of the establishment of a critical voltage across a space charge layer. An alternative explanation is offered in which the time required for the growth of an interfacial instability until it is detectable is the delay.<>