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Sonoluminescence
Sonoluminescence is the emission of light from imploding bubbles in a liquid when excited by sound. Sonoluminescence was first discovered in 1934 at the University of Cologne.
Long exposure image of MBSL created by a high-intensity ultrasonic horn immersed in a beaker of liquidSonoluminescence can occur when a sound wave of sufficient intensity induces a gaseous cavity within a liquid to collapse quickly. From left to right: apparition of bubble, slow expansion, quick and sudden contraction, emission of lightIn 2002, M. Brenner, S. Hilgenfeldt, and D. Lohse published a 60-page review that contains a detailed explanation of the mechanism. Computations based on the theory presented in the review produce radiation parameters (intensity and duration time versus wavelength) that match experimental results[ citation needed] with errors no larger than expected due to some simplifications (e.g., assuming a uniform temperature in the entire bubble), so it seems the phenomenon of sonoluminescence is at least roughly explained, although some details of the process remain obscure.
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