A. Marcano et L. Aranguren, LASER-INDUCED FORCE FOR BUBBLE-TRAPPING IN LIQUIDS, Applied physics. B, Photophysics and laser chemistry, 56(6), 1993, pp. 343-346
The laser-induced thermal force that traps a bubble in an absorbing li
quid is studied theoretically and experimentally. The force origins fr
om the thermal gradients of the surface tension induced by a laser bea
m over the bubble surface. It is shown that this force is proportional
to the square of the bubble radius and to the thermal gradient of the
surface tension. A simple experimental method based on comparison wit
h the Archimedes' flotation force, is used for the measurement of this
force. The experimental results, performed on ethanol solutions of io
dine, confirm the theoretical predictions.