Energetic cavitation collapse generates 3.2 Mbar plasma with a 1.4 J driver

Area of Science:

• Plasma Physics
• Cavitation Dynamics
• High Energy Density Physics

Background:

• Sonoluminescence is a well-studied cavitation phenomenon.
• Achieving high energy density typically requires large, low-repetition-rate facilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate a novel tabletop method for generating extreme conditions via bubble collapse.
• To characterize the plasma produced by a high-energy vapor bubble collapse.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a tabletop device to induce symmetric collapse of a 1.8 mm radius vapor bubble in water at 22 bar.
• Employed single-shot streak imaging to analyze the resulting plasma.

Main Results:

• Achieved a stagnation plasma with a 28-micron radius.
• Measured plasma temperatures exceeding 12,000 K.
• Recorded unprecedented stagnation pressures of 3.2 Mbar.

Conclusions:

• The tabletop device enables high energy density conditions previously inaccessible outside large-scale facilities.
• This method offers a significant increase in size, energy, and pressure compared to sonoluminescence.
• Opens new avenues for research in compact high-energy density plasma generation.