Laser-induced liquid breakdown-a step-by-step account

Abstract

The commonly observed phenomenon of breakdown in a liquid irradiated by a focused highpower laser is shown, by means of short-duration photography, to consist of a definite sequence of events starting with dielectric breakdown and rapidly expanding cavities in the focal region, followed by shock-wave propagation, cavity deceleration, localized cavitation, and eventual bubble collapse. This complete sequence has heretofore been obscured due to either time-exposure photography or lack of adequate time delay prior to taking photographs. This photographic sequence should settle the controversy over the origin of the many bubbles observed near the focal region of a liquid irradiated by a high-power pulsed laser. © 1971 The American Institute of Physics.