Cavitation Detection Using a Fibre-Optic Hydrophone: A Pilot Study

A fibre-optic hydrophone has been used to detect broadband acoustic emissions associated with inertial cavitation activity. Its potential for this application has been investigated in tap water and in agar gels, and compared with signals from a passive cavitation detector (PCD) and a microphone detecting audible frequency emissions. Processing of the fibre-optic hydrophone data to find the total RMS voltage over an integrated frequency range of 15-20 MHz gives a high signal to noise ratio, comparable with that of the PCD. The sensitivity and effective field of view of the fibre tip appear sufficient for detecting even low level cavitation activity, however the precise directional response has yet to be assessed. Emissions from acoustic cavitation in tap water and agar gel from peak negative pressures reaching 5.8 and 3.5 MPa respectively were detectable when the fibre was up to 20 mm and 2 mm respectively from the acoustic axis, whilst retaining a high signal to noise ratio.