Surface instabilities and patterning at liquid/vapor interfaces: Exemplifications of the "hairy ball theorem"

Application of the "hairy ball theorem" to the analysis of the surface instabilities inherent for liquid/vapor interfaces is reported. When a continuous tangential velocity field exists on the surface of the liquid sample which is homeomorphic to a ball, zero velocity points will be necessarily present at the surface. The theorem is exemplified with the analysis of the instability occurring under the rapid evaporation of polymer solutions. Zero velocity points, accumulating pores, enable direct visualization of the instability. The patterning may be essentially different on the surface of a torus.