Self-limited growth of laser-induced vapor bubbles around single microabsorbers

Laser-induced bubble dynamics around micrometer-sized absorbers in water is studied. A single transient microbubble forms around the whole laser-heated particle due to vaporization of the surrounding water. Using 12 ns laser pulses, the bubble size increases with radiant exposure, whereas for 240 and 1800 ns pulses multiple bubble oscillations with a maximum bubble diameter are observed, which is almost independent from the applied radiant exposure. In this case, thermal decoupling of the expanding bubble from the absorber by the insulating vapor limits the heat transfer from the particle to the bubble. The resulting self-limited bubble growth can increase the precision of cellular laser microsurgery.