Generation, growth, and collapse of vapor bubbles in hydrocarbon liquids under a high divergent electric field

Abstract

The generation, growth, and collapse of vapor bubbles in purified cyclohexane under a high divergent electric field was studied as a function of hydrostatic pressure (105–1.2×107 Pa). In these experimental conditions a very fast and localized energy injection (10−10–10−8 J) occurs as a consequence of electron avalanches, and the liquid is raised to a supercritical state. Below the critical pressure of the liquid, a vapor bubble is created. In this paper we present a time-resolved optical study of its dynamics which is shown to be controlled by inertial forces. The transition to a streamer phenomenon is also investigated and discussed.