Micro Bubble and Sonoluminescence

The author reviews the interaction of micro bubbles with ultrasound. First, the action of acoustic radiation pressure on bubbles is discussed in contrast with that on small particles noting the concept of Bjerknes force, resonant bubbles and nonlinear oscillation of bubbles. In the past decade, sonoluminescence, light emission from a single oscillating bubble, attracted attention of researchers because of its strange characteristics. A short history of sonoluminescence and its characteristics are summarized based on bubble motion in a sound field. Lastly, industrial and medical applications of extreme environment generated by collapsing micro bubbles are discussed as promising technology in the new century.