Laser-Induced Cavitation for Controlling Crystallization from Solution

TL;DR

This study shows that laser-induced cavitation bubbles can control crystallization in supersaturated solutions by affecting nucleation kinetics through localized heating and supersaturation peaks.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method using laser-induced cavitation to manipulate crystallization processes, supported by combined experimental and simulation analysis.

Findings

Crystallization is triggered by cavitation bubbles generated by laser pulses.

The nucleation rate depends on laser energy and supersaturation levels.

Crystal morphology correlates with simulated supersaturation peaks.

Abstract

We demonstrate that a cavitation bubble initiated by a Nd:YAG laser pulse below breakdown threshold induces crystallization from supersaturated aqueous solutions with supersaturation and laser-energy dependent nucleation kinetics. Combining high-speed video microscopy and simulations, we argue that a competition between the dissipation of absorbed laser energy as latent and sensible heat dictates the solvent evaporation rate and creates a momentary supersaturation peak at the vapor-liquid interface. The number and morphology of crystals correlate to the characteristics of the simulated supersaturation peak.