Low concentrations of short chain aliphatic alcohols and organic acids and bases suppress single-bubble sonoluminescence (SBSL) in water. The degree of SL quenching increases with the length of the aliphatic end of the alcohol, and is related to the concentration of the alcohol at the bubble/water interface. The light is preferentially quenched in the shorter wavelength region of the spectrum. Radius−time measurements of the bubble are not dramatically affected by the low levels of alcohol used. Butyric acid and propylamine behave in the same manner, but only in their neutral forms, indicating that the SBSL suppression is due to processes occurring within the bubble.

Single-bubble sonoluminescence (SBSL) in water has been studied in the presence of low concentrations of simple organic compounds. For a given concentration of aliphatic alcohol, the degree of quenching follows the order, ethanol< I -propanol< 1-butanol, Preliminary experiments with simple we& acids and bases indicate that SBSL quenching only occurs when the pH is adjusted such that the solutes are in their neutral form. me results obtained indicate that the extent of SBSL quenching, by the solutes used, is directly related to the concentration of solute at the bubble-water interface,

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