In vitro sonoluminescence and sonochemistry studies with an electrohydraulic shock-wave lithotripter.

Sonoluminescence and sonochemistry from a cavitation field generated by an electrohydraulic shock-wave lithotripter were investigated as functions of spark discharge voltage (13 to 21 kV) and pulse-repetition frequency (PRF) (0.5 to 2.0 Hz). Sonochemical activity, measured with an iodide dosimeter, increased with both voltage and PRF. Sonoluminescence was measured in an acoustically matched light-tight box. The envelope of the light intensity was measured in a temporally gated region extending from the initial arrival of the shock wave (resulting in bubble compression) to the final inertial collapse of the bubble cloud, which follows hundreds of micros after passage of the shock wave. The initial compression resulted in greater sonoluminescence emissions, suggesting that the initial bubble compression due to the leading positive pressure spike from the lithotripter generated higher temperatures than the inertial collapse of the bubble. These unexpected results are consistent with some recent calculations in which the vapor pressure of the liquid limits compressional heating.