Characteristics of high-quality factor resonators operating at high static pressures

Cavitation collapse can generate intense concentrations of mechanical energy, sufficient to erode even the hardest metals and to generate light emissions visible to the naked eye, e.g., single bubble sonoluminescence. We describe a high-quality factor, spherical resonator capable of achieving acoustic cavitation at ambient pressures in excess of 30 MPa. In this presentation, the dynamics of the resonator and the cavitation in general will be discussed, e.g., driver configuration, quality factor, resonance modes, power and pressure amplitude threshold for cavitation, etc., as a function of static pressure, as well as other parameters. [Funded and directed by Impulse Devices, Inc., ACPT Contract W9113M-07-C-0178.]