Laser-induced hydrodynamics in water-saturated biotissues. 1. Generation of bubbles in liquid

Abstract

The hydrodynamic effects that are induced in water by the moderate-power (1–5 W) CW laser radiation delivered via an optical fiber are investigated. The effective hydrodynamic processes in water are related to the explosive boiling in the vicinity of the heated end surface of the fiber. The resulting bubbles with sizes ranging from several to several tens of microns have velocities of up to 100 mm/s in the vicinity of the end surface. The generation of bubbles in a capillary gives rise to the stable circulation of liquid with the period ranging from 0.2 to 1.0 s. The hydrodynamic effects under study can be employed in the surgical and regenerative procedures in biotissues.