On the role of Poisson’s contraction propagation in the creation of squeeze-film assisted levitation

The paper presents results of computer simulation and experimental observations with the main objective of explaining the role of Poisson’s contraction phenomenon in the mechanism of initiating and maintaining squeeze-film action through which light and planar objects can be levitated. Initial and centrally located shallow dimple, created in a thin plate under plain tensile stress is, with the passage of time, transformed into a pattern of elastic deformations over plate’s surface. As a result of that, a light object levitates not only at the centre of the plate where initial, primary dimple is located but over the entire plate.