Ultrasound-stimulated mutual interaction forces between optically configured micro-bubble pairs

The mutual interaction between two oscillating encapsulated microbubbles was investigated using a novel optical trapping arrangement. This approach facilitated the development of an arbitrary, stable, initial spatial configuration for a two-bubble system. Critically, exercising optical control over such a binary bubble system meant that it could be isolated from the resident population of microbubbles during exposure to ultrasound. This ensured that any early stage dynamical evolution of the system was dominated by the mutual interaction of the two bubbles in view, rather than any extraneous influence arising from 'crosstalk' with the rest of the bubble population. We observed, using high speed microphotography at 4×10⁵ frames per second, that the action of secondary radiation forces leads to mutual bubble attraction. Phenomena such as coalescence and 'bounce' were observed. Estimates of the microbubble [Sonovue™] compressibility could also be made, and tally well with published values obtained for other shelled contrast agents.