Acoustically-driven spherical implosions and the possibility of thermonuclear reactions

Abstract

Acoustically driven, gas-filled cavities in liquids have been known to collapse violently, generating short flashes of light of ∼100 psec duration. This phenomenon has been known as Sonoluminescence (SL) and was first observed by Marinesco et al. in 1933. Ten years ago the author pioneered a technique for observing the oscillations of a single, gas-filled cavity (termed Single-Bubble Sonoluminescence) which has provided new insights into the phenomenon of sonoluminescence. More recently, the possibility of generating fusion reactions using acoustics has been considered. Results of computer simulations and preliminary experimental data will be presented. Back-of-the-envelope calculations in terms of the acoustical and thermodynamic parameters necessary to achieve Thermonuclear reactions will be presented in an effort to evaluate the feasibility of Sonofusion as an energy source.