Mass transfer enhancement produced by laser induced cavitation

A microelectrode is used to measure the mass transfer perturbation and characteristics during the growth and subsequent collapse of a single bubble (which, following its initial expansion, achieved a maximum radius, Rm, of ∼500–1000 μm). This mass transfer enhancement was associated with the forced convection, driven by bubble motion, as the result of a single cavitation event generated by a laser pulse beneath a 25 μm diameter Au microelectrode. Evidence for bubble growth and rebound is gained from the electrochemical and acoustic measurements. This is supported with high-speed video footage of the events generated. A threshold for the formation of large cavitation bubbles in electrolyte solutions is suggested.