The direction of the microjet produced by the collapse of a cavitation bubble locatedin between a wall and a free surface

TL;DR

This study develops a simplified model to predict the direction of microjets from cavitation bubble collapse near a wall and free surface, validated by experiments, with implications for damage prevention.

Contribution

It introduces a theoretical model based on the method of images for predicting microjet direction in cavitation bubbles near boundaries, extending to various corner angles.

Findings

Model accurately predicts jet direction near boundaries.

Experimental results confirm theoretical predictions.

Extension of predictions to arbitrary corner angles.

Abstract

In this paper, we present a simplified theoretical model based on the method of images that predicts the direction of the microjet produced after the implosion of the cavitation bubble created in between a free interface and rigid wall. Our theoretical predictions have been verified by means of a thorough experimental study in which the distances of the pulsed-laser cavitation bubble to the wall and the free surface are varied in a systematic manner. In addition, we extend the predictions to arbitrary values of the corner angle, $\pi/(2n)$ with $n$ a natural number. The present analytical solution will be useful in the design of new strategies aimed at preventing the damage caused by cavitating bubbles over solid substrates