Detailed simulations of sonoluminescence spectra

We present detailed simulations of the optical spectra emitted from an argo n plasma whose conditions correspond to those thought to prevail within son oluminescing bubbles. The model incorporates detailed atomic physics based on atomic. data from the Opacity Project database, and includes bound-bound , bound-free and free-free transitions. Line broadening is treated using th e modified semi-empirical method. The spectral model is used as a postproce ssor of hydrodynamic simulations. While finding excellent agreement with th e shape of experimental spectra, we calculate an intensity that is a factor of 100 greater than that in experiment. We also predict that whilst the ma jority of the optical emission corresponds to bound-free transitions, there remains the possibility of observing broad line emission in both the UV an d IR regions of the spectrum.