On the critical energy required for homogeneous nucleation in bubble chambers employed in dark matter searches

Abstract

Two equations for the calculation of the critical energy required for homogeneous nucleation in a superheated liquid, and the related critical radius of the nucleated vapour bubble, are obtained, the former by the direct application of the first law of thermodynamics, the latter by considering that the bubble formation implies the overcoming of a barrier of the free enthalpy potential. Compared with the currently used relationships, the present equations, still allowing for reversible processes only, lead to thermodynamic energy thresholds of the bubble chambers employed in dark matter searches that are closer to the experimental values.