Dynamics of vapor bubbles with nonequilibrium phase transitions in isotropic acoustic fields

Based on a multiscale asymptotic technique, a weakly nonlinear theory of rectified heat transfer to vapor bubbles is developed. The theory takes into account effects of internal and external heat transfer near the bubbles including memory terms, viscosity and slight compressibility of the liquid, surface tension, and nonequilibrium phase transitions. It is shown that the combination of these effects strongly influences bubble dynamics in high frequency acoustic fields. Results of calculations of bubble dynamics in water and liquid helium are presented. The role of kinetics of phase transitions is analyzed. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S1070-6631(00)01601-9].