Collective effects of cavitation: Experimental study of bubble-bubble and bubble-shock wave interactions

This paper is concerned with a basic study of optical cavitation or cavitation induced by a high intensity laser beam. The work deals with the collective behavior of several bubbles induced independently and simultaneously. The experimental setup to produce and to visualize bubbles and shock waves in the liquid (water) is described. Bubbles dynamics in an infinite medium is displayed in sequential photographs (framing and streak). The visualizations show such interesting results as strong asymmetries, deformations, attraction or repulsion, and premature implosion due to bubble-interface/shock-wave-radiated-upon-collapse impact.