Detection and measurement of cavitation in sonochemistry and medical ultrasound

The objective of this work is to demonstrate methods for the detection and quantification of cavitation arising from a variety of ultrasound sources and to illustrate how the methods can be used, for example in characterizing the performance of ultrasonic dental instruments. Using a luminol solution has proved useful in detecting when and where cavitation takes place by monitoring the light emission due to reaction with radicals. Quantifying the radical production as well as other physical (e.g. acoustic emission) and chemical (product analysis) techniques has allowed the amount of cavitation to be measured. The work has revealed some differences in the type of cavitation produced by different sources as well as a high dependence of cavitation on the precise shape and design of the source.