Oscillating bubble as a sensor of low frequency electro-acoustic signals in electrolytes

Small air-bubble deformations, caused by electro-acoustic signals generated in electrolytic solutions have been detected by angle-modulation of a refracted He-Ne laser beam. The observed electromechanical resonance at low frequency, below 100 Hz, has proved to be directly related to the oscillations of characteristic ion-doped water structures when driven by an external electric field. The presence of structure-breaking or structure-making ions modifies the water structure, which varies the mechanical losses of the oscillating system and can be registered as changes in the width of the observed resonance curves.