Laser-induced cavitation phenomenon studied using three different optically-based approaches - An initial overview of results

Abstract

This report presents a study of shock wave and cavitation bubble dynamics induced by nanosecond laser pulses in pressurized water. Three methods were used to obtain data from the irradiated sample: (1) pump-probe laser flash shadowgraphy, (2) pressure wave sensing by means of a fiber optic interferometer hydrophone, and (3) a novel technique based on the modulation of spatial transmittance by the cavitation bubble. The medium used in these experiments was distilled water in a chamber under different pressure conditions which included values found in human intraocular liquid. It could be shown that while external pressure does not affect either the shock wave propagation or the initial bubble growth rate, it does affect the first collapse time of the bubble and its maximum diameter.