Nucleation of Solid in an Undercooled Liquid by Cavitation

Abstract

Cavitation in an undercooled liquid can nucleate solid. We have demonstrated, by a new experimental technique, that nucleation occurs when a cavity collapses, rather than when it expands. Extremely large pressures, ∼10⁵ atm, are generated by the collapse of a cavity. The change in pressure lowers the freezing temperature of the liquid, and thereby results in nucleation. It is suggested that nucleation by scratching also takes place through the medium of cavitation.