Nanoparticle coated optical fibers for single microbubble generation

Reinher Pimentel-Domínguez; Juan Hernández-Cordero

doi:10.1117/12.902260

2 November 2011 Nanoparticle coated optical fibers for single microbubble generation

Reinher Pimentel-Domínguez, Juan Hernández-Cordero

Proceedings Volume 8011, 22nd Congress of the International Commission for Optics: Light for the Development of the World; 80113N (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.902260
Event: International Commission for Optics (ICO 22), 2011, Puebla, Mexico

Abstract

The study of bubbles and bubbly flows is important in various fields such as physics, chemistry, medicine, geophysics, and even the food industry. A wide variety of mechanical and acoustic techniques have been reported for bubble generation. Although a single bubble may be generated with these techniques, controlling the size and the mean lifetime of the bubble remains a difficult task. Most of the optical methods for generation of microbubbles involve high-power pulsed laser sources focused in absorbing media such as liquids or particle solutions. With these techniques, single micron-sized bubbles can be generated with typical mean lifetimes ranging from nano to microseconds. The main problem with these bubbles is their abrupt implosion: this produces a shock wave that can potentially produce damages on the surroundings. These effects have to be carefully controlled in biological applications and in laser surgery, but thus far, not many options are available to effectively control micron-size bubble growth. In this paper, we present a new technique to generate microbubbles in non-absorbing liquids. In contrast to previous reports, the proposed technique uses low-power and a CW radiation from a laser diode. The laser light is guided through an optical fiber whose output end has been coated with nanostructures. Upon immersing the tip of the fiber in ethanol or water, micron-size bubbles can be readily generated. With this technique, bubble growth can be controlled through adjustments on the laser power. We have obtained micron-sized bubbles with mean lifetimes in the range of seconds. Furthermore, the generated bubbles do not implode, as verified with a high-speed camera and flow visualization techniques.

Citation Download Citation

Reinher Pimentel-Domínguez and Juan Hernández-Cordero "Nanoparticle coated optical fibers for single microbubble generation", Proc. SPIE 8011, 22nd Congress of the International Commission for Optics: Light for the Development of the World, 80113N (2 November 2011); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.902260

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available