Optical Detection of Acoustic Cavitation through Continuous Laser in a Controlled Medium Emulating Biological Tissue

This study proposes an optical system for the detection of cavitation in a controlled medium, emulating current acoustic detection techniques. By using a high-intensity focused ultrasound transducer and a 530 nm wavelength laser, it aims to detect the presence of microbubbles generated by cavitation. The laser interaction with the bubbles causes an alteration in the light energy, enabling its detection. The capture of the altered laser light is carried out through an optical detection system that includes a photodiode with sufficient sensitivity to detect small particles. The application of ultrasound at a power level sufficient to generate cavitation can be detected by the reflected and refracted beams when a laser is incident within the phantom in the area where bubbles are generated. Variations in intensity on the order of 1.54% and 2.88% were recorded, reflecting the presence of cavitation and offering a perspective on the advantages in terms of resolution and ease of measurement for studying the optical phenomena of cavitation and its application for health benefits.