Drops on an inclined heterogeneous substrate: onset of sliding motion

Pinning and depinning of drops on an inclined heterogeneous substrate is studied as a function of the inclination and heterogeneity amplitude. Two types of heterogeneity are considered: a hydrophobic defect that blocks the droplet in front, and a hydrophilic one that holds it at the back. Two different types of depinning leading to sliding motion are identified, and the resulting stick-slip motion is studied numerically