SEM imaging of liquid jets.

We present a technique for the study of liquid jets in an environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM). By using a two-fluid stream consisting of a water inner core and a co-flowing outer gas sheath, we are able to produce liquid streams of sufficiently low flow rate to be compatible with ESEM vacuum requirements. We have recorded ESEM images of water jets down to 700 nm diameter. Details of the jet structure, such as the point of jet breakup and size and shape of the jet cone, can be measured with ESEM to far greater accuracy than with optical microscopy. ESEM imaging of liquid jets offers a valuable research tool for the study of aerosol production, combustion processes, ink-jet generation, and many other attributes of micro- and nanojet systems.