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Shock-induced bubble jets: a dual perspective of bubble collapse and interfacial instability theory

Journal Article · · Journal of Fluid Mechanics
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [4];  [5];  [4];  [3];  [2]
  1. Eidgenoessische Technische Hochschule (ETH), Zurich (Switzerland); Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
  2. Eidgenoessische Technische Hochschule (ETH), Zurich (Switzerland)
  3. European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), Grenoble (France)
  4. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
  5. Eidgenoessische Technische Hochschule (ETH), Zurich (Switzerland); Eindhoven Univ. of Technology (Netherlands)
Interactions between shock waves and gas bubbles in a liquid can lead to bubble collapse and high-speed liquid jet formation, relevant to biomedical applications such as shock wave lithotripsy and targeted drug delivery. This study reveals a complex interplay between acceleration-induced instabilities that drive jet formation and radial accelerations causing overall bubble collapse under shock wave pressure. Using high-speed synchrotron X-ray phase contrast imaging, the dynamics of micrometre-sized air bubbles interacting with laser-induced underwater shock waves are visualised. These images offer full optical access to phase discontinuities along the X-ray path, including jet formation, its propagation inside the bubble, and penetration through the distal side. Jet formation from laser-induced shock waves is suggested to be an acceleration-driven process. A model predicting jet speed based on the perturbation growth rate of a single-mode Richtmyer–Meshkov instability shows good agreement with experimental data, despite uncertainties in the jet-driving mechanisms. The jet initially follows a linear growth phase, transitioning into a nonlinear regime as it evolves. To capture this transition, a heuristic model bridging the linear and nonlinear growth phases is introduced, also approximating jet shape as a single-mode instability, again matching experimental observations. Upon piercing the distal bubble surface, jets can entrain gas and form a toroidal secondary bubble. Linear scaling laws are identified for the pinch-off time and volume of the ejected bubble relative to the jet’s Weber number, characterising the balance of inertia and surface tension. At low speeds, jets destabilise due to capillary effects, resulting in ligament pinch-off.
Research Organization:
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF); USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC52-07NA27344
OSTI ID:
2999049
Report Number(s):
LLNL--JRNL-2012831
Journal Information:
Journal of Fluid Mechanics, Journal Name: Journal of Fluid Mechanics Journal Issue: N/A Vol. 1018; ISSN 1469-7645; ISSN 0022-1120
Publisher:
Cambridge University PressCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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