Predicting and controlling laser-induced breakup and multidirectional propulsion of liquid droplets

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Volume 123, Issue 15, April 2026. <br/>SignificanceShort laser pulses can push and fragment microscopic liquid droplets, but the motion is difficult to control because the first laser-triggered plasma spark can form at varying locations in or near the droplet. We show that two measurable …