The Rayleigh-like collapse of a conical bubble

Abstract

This paper describes an experimental investigation of the collapse of a conical bubble, with measurement of the liquid and bubble gas pressures, and sonoluminescence, generated during the collapse. A theoretical analysis, based on the 1917 formulation of Rayleigh, adequately predicts the pressures, and the time scales as measured by high-speed photography, within the limitations of both theory and measurement. One implication of this novel apparatus lies in the ability to control the inertia associated with the liquid without changing its other properties. The inertia is key to the dynamics of the type of bubble collapse which is associated with sonoluminescence and the emission of strong rebound pressures into the liquid. Another implication of this study is the ability to image the collapsing meniscus and the gas and, to a certain extent, place sensors within the gas of the collapsing bubble.