Theory of sonoluminescence in single bubbles: Flexoelectric energy contribution

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Abstract
An equation of motion for a cavitating gas bubble immersed in a liquid is introduced which includes a flexoelectric energy term. This energy is deduced from the electric field produced by the bubble wall acceleration (pressure gradient) in the fluid (the flexoelectric effect). We show that under conditions of sonoluminescence, this electric field reaches values typical of the electric breakdown field in water. Our theoretical results are consistent with the duration of light emission, minimum bubble radius, and energy release as measured in sonoluminescence experiments in water.
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