Microboiling Measurements of Thermal-Inkjet Heaters

Abstract—Microboiling occurs when a microheater covered by liquid is operated with microseconds pulse. As a result of the high heat flux, a vapor bubble is built up above the heater. This phe-nomenon is used for thermal inkjet as well as other applications. In this experimental study, the bubbles are traced and photographed. The evolution of the bubbles is shown from the first nucleation, through maximal volume of the bubble, until the final collapse of the bubble, together with parametric measurements. At the end of the heater lifetime, the heater cracking process is shown frame after frame, supported with simulations. [2009-0162] Index Terms—Bubble jet, inkjet, micro-boiling, micro-heaters, nucleation, printhead