Andreas Kurcz et al 2009 New J. Phys. 11 053001 doi:10.1088/1367-2630/11/5/053001
Sonoluminescence and quantum optical heating
Andreas Kurcz, Antonio Capolupo and Almut Beige1
Show affiliationsSonoluminescence is the intriguing phenomenon of strong light flashes from tiny bubbles in a liquid. The bubbles are driven by an ultrasonic wave and need to be filled with noble gas atoms. Approximating the emitted light by blackbody radiation indicates very high temperatures. Although sonoluminescence has been studied extensively, the origin of the sudden energy concentration within the bubble collapse phase is still controversial. It is hence difficult to further increase the temperature inside the bubble for applications like sonochemistry and table top fusion. Here, we show that the strongly confined noble gas atoms inside the bubble can be heated very rapidly by a weak but highly inhomogeneous electric field as might occur naturally during rapid bubble deformations. An indirect proof of the proposed quantum optical heating mechanism would be the detection of the non-thermal emission of photons in the optical regime prior to the light flash. Our model implies that it is possible to increase the temperature inside the bubble with the help of appropriately detuned laser fields.
-
GENERAL SCIENTIFIC SUMMARY
Introduction and background. Over recent years, single-bubble sonoluminescence experiments have been perfected in the laboratory. Stable bubbles are created which periodically change their radius when driven by an ultrasonic wave. Each cycle results in a sudden collapse of the bubble, which is accompanied by a strong picosecond light flash (see figure). The spectrum of the emitted light and the possible formation of dense plasma indicate temperatures as high as 106 K.Main results. Our work does not contradict current models for the description of sonoluminescence experiments. Instead it addresses certain, still controversial aspects by revealing a previously unconsidered quantum optical heating mechanism. It is shown that a weak but highly inhomogeneous electric field, as might occur naturally during rapid bubble deformations, can increase the temperature of strongly confined particles by several orders of magnitude, even on the relevant nanosecond time scale. Finally, our model implies that it is possible to further enhance the energy concentration in sonoluminescence experiments with the help of appropriately detuned laser fields.
Wider implications. Our model is based on the build up of quantum coherences on a nanosecond time scale. This contradicts the widely held belief that quantum mechanics applies only at relatively low temperatures. However, quantum physics is currently very successful in predicting, for example, the dynamics of atoms and molecules in intense laser fields on comparable time scales. Further studies of the sonoluminescence phenomenon might hence lead to new applications in sonochemistry and table top fusion.
Figure. Time dependence of the driving sound pressure and of the bubble radius in a typical single-bubble sonoluminescence cycle. Point A marks the beginning of the collapse phase. At point B, the temperature within the bubble is significantly increased and a strong light flash occurs. Point C denotes the beginning of the expansion phase in which the bubble regains stability. - PACS
-
62.60.+v Acoustical properties of liquids
- Subjects
-
Soft matter, liquids and polymers
- Dates
-
Issue 5 (May 2009)
Received 26 January 2009
Published 5 May 2009
-
Sonoluminescence and quantum optical heating
Andreas Kurcz et al 2009 New J. Phys. 11 053001
-
A Supermassive Binary Black Hole with Triple Disks
Kimitake Hayasaki et al. 2008 ApJ 682 1134
-
Maximum Entropy for Gravitational Wave Data Analysis: Inferring the Physical Parameters of Core-Collapse Supernovae
T. Z. Summerscales et al. 2008 ApJ 678 1142
-
Cold valleys in cluster radioactivity
Ş Mişicu and W Greiner 2003 J. Phys. G: Nucl. Part. Phys. 29 L67
-
A first-principle analysis on the phase stabilities, chemical bonds and band gaps of wurtzite structure AxZn1−xO alloys (A = Ca, Cd, Mg)
X F Fan et al 2008 J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 20 235221
-
Doping dependent optical properties of Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ
J Hwang et al 2007 J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 19 125208
-
Crystal distortions in geometrically frustrated ACr2O4 (A = Zn,Cd)
S-H Lee et al 2007 J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 19 145259
-
A new layer compound Nb4SiC3 predicted from first-principles theory
Chenliang Li et al 2009 J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. 42 075404
-
Half metals: from formal theory to real material issues
Warren E Pickett and Helmut Eschrig 2007 J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 19 315203
-
Phonon and elastic instabilities in rocksalt calcium oxide under pressure: a first-principles study
Jingyun Zhang and Jer-lai Kuo 2009 J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 21 015402
Users also read
What's this?- Areal changes of land ecosystems in the Alaskan Yukon River Basin from 1984 to 2008
- Preparing US community greenhouse gas inventories for climate action plans
- Regional climate consequences of large-scale cool roof and photovoltaic array deployment