Theory of light emission in sonoluminescence based upon transitions in confined atoms

摘要

A theory of light emission in sonoluminescing hydrogen bubbles, based upon transitions in confined atoms, is proposed. Despite the simplicity of the assumptions this model accounts for a number of facts related to sonoluminescence: a broadband spectrum in the correct wavelength window is predicted as well as the number of emitted photons. Taking the temperature at the moment of collapse as a parameter we argue that confined atomic transitions at 4000 K may account for the observed light emission. This result favours a 'cold' interpretation of sonoluminescence in contrast to previous theories. Many considerations are qualitatively extendible to rare gases.