The detection and control of stable and transient acoustic cavitation bubbles

Acoustic cavitation plays a significant role in many applications that include therapeutic medicine, sonochemsitry and materials processing. The type of cavitation bubbles generated, namely transient or stable (repetitive transient), is important for optimizing the efficiency of these applications. We report on a multibubble sonoluminescence (MBSL)-based experimental technique for the detection and the control of type of cavitation at low and high ultrasound frequencies. It is observed that the use of a horn-type sonicator operating at 20 kHz primarily generates transient cavitation bubbles, as reported earlier. However, the use of plate type transducers at low frequencies (25 and 37 kHz) generates a significant amount of stable cavitation, as evidenced from the quenching of sonoluminescence by volatile solutes. Evidence for the existence of transient cavitation at a higher ultrasound frequency (440 kHz) is also provided.