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Is there a simple theory of sonoluminescence?

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Abstract

An abiding issue in cavitation science is the focusing of energy by the collapse of a gas bubble in water. In particular, one would like to understand the origin of the flash of light ('sonoluminescence') that accompanies bubble collapse1. Hilgenfeldt et al.2 have presented a simple explanation for this light emission, based on a hydrodynamic (Rayleigh–Plesset) analysis of bubble dynamics. Here we argue that their model is too simple, on the grounds that it cannot account for some well-established observations and that it involves the application of this hydrodynamic equation outside its range of validity.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Physics Department, University of California, Los Angeles, 90095, California, USA

    S. Putterman, G. Vazquez & K. Weninger

  2. Division of Engineering and Applied Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, 02138, Massachusetts, USA

    P. G. Evans

Authors
  1. S. Putterman
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  2. P. G. Evans
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  3. G. Vazquez
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  4. K. Weninger
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Correspondence to S. Putterman.

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Putterman, S., Evans, P., Vazquez, G. et al. Is there a simple theory of sonoluminescence?. Nature 409, 782–783 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/35057317

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