We experimentally investigate the effect of an electric field applied between
a Leidenfrost droplet and the heated substrate on which it is levitating. We
quantify the electro-Leidenfrost effect by imaging the interference fringes
between the liquid-vapour and vapour-substrate interfaces. The increase of the
voltage induces a decrease of the vapour layer thickness. Above a certain
critical voltage the Leidenfrost effect is suppressed and the drop starts
boiling. Our study characterizes this way to control and/or to avoid the
Leidenfrost effect that is undesirable in many domains such as metallurgy or
nuclear reactor safety.Comment: 6 pages, 6 figures, 2 movie
