Acoustic cavitation

This article reviews the physics of cavitation generated by acoustic fields, covering the basic theoretical and experimental data needed for a proper understanding of the many effects of cavitation and their practical applications. The dynamics of bubble motion are developed, stressing the relation between stable and transient types of cavitation and their thresholds. Non-radial types of bubble motion are now known to initiate several important effects, including erosive action, and these are dealt with in detail. Direct verification of theories of bubble dynamics is obtained using high-speed cinematography. The most recent techniques and results are described, as are the highly-sophisticated experimental methods now being applied to the bubble-fields and aggregates, including the acoustic emission from stable and transient cavitation fields.