The focusing of a high-intensity laser pulse within a fluid beyond a specific threshold leads to optical breakdown. The breakdown leads to the formation of high-temperature plasma and the rapid expansion of plasma is followed by the generation of a spherical shock wave that grows with time. The focusing of a laser pulse within a droplet can result in cavitation, deformation, or fragmentation of droplets
Our group investigates the pulse laser-induced breakup of a single and array of acoustically levitated droplets. We explore the breakup dynamics of different single and multi-component droplets upon their interaction with a laser pulse and accurately control and manipulate the influence of laser parameters on the deformation and fragmentation of the droplets. We also seek to elucidate questions such as how the fragmentation modes (based on laser energy and droplet properties) of droplets affect the size distribution of the secondary droplets.
Publications
Laser-induced deformation and fragmentation of droplets in an array
D. Chaitanya Kumar Rao, A.P. Singh, and S. Basu
International Journal of Multiphase Flow 148, 103925, 2022.
Modes of atomization in biofuel droplets induced by a focused laser pulse
V. Jagadale, D. Chaitanya Kumar Rao, D. Deshmukh, D. Hanstorp, and Y.N. Mishra
Fuel 315, 123190, 2022.