Design Exploration of Initial Bubbles for Higher-Speed Laser-Induced Microjets

Laser-induced microjets are advantageous for yielding high-speed and convergent microjets shape. However, owing to the need for high-power laser devices, reducing the required laser power is a prerequisite for convenience in practical use. This study aimed to optimize initial multiple bubbles design and find the dominant parameters for efficient microjet generation. For this purpose, the bubble design was optimized using an evolutionary algorithm—the covariance matrix adaptation evolutionary strategy. In addition, the dataset of solutions obtained through the optimization process was analyzed via principal component analysis (PCA). The optimization and analysis revealed that a higher microjet velocity could be obtained when a single bubble was generated near the tube wall, and an optimal total bubble volume was observed corresponding to this optimization. In addition, this approximate optimal solution we obtained was confirmed to reduce 88% of total initial energy compared to that of the typical solution. The result shows possibility to improve the efficiency of microjet generation and reducing the laser power.