Self-oscillation of 3D trapped bubbles

Abstract

In this study, we focus on the trapping and self-oscillation of microbubbles in ethanol using a low-power continuous-wave laser. The microbubble formation is achieved by heating of ethanol by light absorption (λ = 658 nm) at silver nanoparticles deposited on the distal end of a multi-mode optical fiber. Subsequently, a second low-power continuous-wave laser (λ = 1,550 nm) coupled to a single-mode optical fiber is used to trap the microbubble. To trap the microbubble, the red laser is turned off after its generation, and immediately the trapping laser is activated. The bulk light absorption at λ = 1,550 nm in ethanol modulates the surface tension of the bubble wall, creating a 3D potential well that effectively traps the bubble. Once the bubble is trapped, random variations in the bubble's radius led to instabilities in the trap, triggering the microbubble oscillation. The trapped bubble tends to oscillate along the light propagation between two points of quasi-steady-state equilibrium. These bubble oscillations result from the opposing competing forces: a changing-direction Marangoni force and drag forces and the upward buoyancy force. To explain the self-oscillation, we present a simple model that qualitatively describes the main features observed in the experimental data.