The effects of surfactant additives on the acoustic and light emissions from a single stable sonoluminescing bubble

Abstract

The localized concentration of energy during a single bubble collapse is manifested in two forms, which are the emission of an acoustic pulse, and the emission of a light pulse. Through precise control of experimental parameters, one can levitate a single bubble in a standing wave field and measure the magnitude of the acoustic and light pulses resulting from the violent collapse of the cavity. The information acquired from such measurements provides better understanding of the mechanisms that are responsible for the emissions, which may lead to the practical application of controlled bubble implosions. An experimental apparatus was developed to measure the acoustic and light emissions from a single, stable sonoluminescing bubble. Two surfactant additives were studied to determine the effects on the bubble emissions. Triton X-100, which has previously been shown to provide free interfacial motion, reduced the magnitude of both the acoustic and light pulses from the bubble. The protein bovine serum albumin (BSA) which has been shown to hinder interfacial motion, allowed the bubble to be driven to higher acoustic pressures, and resulted in an increase in the magnitude of the light pulses from the bubble. Images of the sonoluminescing bubble indicate that the collapse remains spherical in the cases presented, and that bubble translation can be correlated with weak acoustic and light emissions.

Effect of surfactants on single bubble sonoluminescence behavior and bubble surface stability

“…As the concentration is increased, however, the RT behavior of the bubble begins to deviate from that shown in water. Lower maximum radii of expansion are observed, consistent with Stottlemyer and Apfel [19] and more distinct and somewhat broader afterbounces are observed after the main collapse. The results are also similar with those shown previously by Kozuka et al [56] whereby the afterbounces become more pronounced relative to the main bubble collapse, with decreasing driving pressure.…”

“…The effects of surfactants, polymers, and alcohols on the radial dynamics and sonoluminescence of a single bubble have been investigated experimentally and numerically. Stottlemyer and Apfel [19] reported that the surfactant Triton X-100 reduced the maximum size of the single bubble as well as the SL intensity and acoustic emissions. Ashokkumar et al [7] showed that micromolar concentrations of nonvolatile surfactants such as sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), dodecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (DTAC), and dodecyl ammonium propane sulfonate (DAPS) did not significantly affect the dynamics or SL of a single bubble.…”

Synergistic Effect of Low‐Frequency Ultrasound and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate on Transdermal Transport

“…The magnitude of cavitation in a system can be detected by various techniques, including acoustic emission, 18 pitting of metal surfaces, 21 and sonochemistry. 20 Stottlemyer et al 22 have studied the effect of surfactants on cavitation by sonochemistry and by measuring acoustic emission. Addition of surfactant (Triton X-100) was found to reduce the "strength" of cavitation.…”

Sonoluminescence: how bubbles glow

“…Variations of the sound eld, e.g. the controlled additions of harmonics or pulsed insonation, do also aVect the sonoluminescence [31][32][33], as do additions of surfactants to the liquid [34]. Observable quantities are the bubble radius R as a function of time; the emitted light pulses-their intensity, timing, duration and spectral composition; and the chemical modi cations introduced.…”