Fluid Pinch-Off Dynamics at Nanometer Length Scales

The breakup of a drop of inviscid fluid into two smaller drops is determined by a competition between surface and inertial forces. This process forms a thin filament of fluid with a connecting neck that shrinks to zero diameter at a finite time singularity. We present measurements of the electrical resistance of a liquid bridge of mercury as it undergoes pinch off. The electrical measurements allow us to probe the region of the singularity down to nanosecond times and nanometer lengths. Near pinch off, the resistance of the liquid bridge diverges as $t^{-2/3}$, as expected for inviscid flow.