Herein, we investigated experimentally the dynamics of three laser-induced, same-sized, symmetrically aligned, and synchronized bubbles. Three synchronized laser beams split from the same beam using a Diffractive Optical Element splitter were focused on water, and then we obtained three bubbles. Another nanosecond laser pulse was used to probe the bubbles to obtain shadowgraphs. The exact delay of the excited and detected light was controlled using a delay generator. The results revealed that the maximum volumes of bubbles in arrays decrease as the normalized distance falls, while the lifetimes and translation increase. It was explained by the interaction between the acoustic radiation of bubbles and the surrounding bubbles. The shrinkage of linear bubble arrays exists an anomaly. The center bubbles were stretched, to ellipsoid, stick, even fractured, by the peripheral bubbles. The closer they are, the more distinct is the above phenomenon. However, when the normalized distance was sufficiently small, instead of being stretched, the center bubbles were compressed to disk shape and thus shrank with the whole array. Finally, the dependence of the distance on the energy transfer of the bubble system is also discussed.

Laser-induced plasma micromachining (LIPMM) is an advanced technology that utilizes the plasma generated from laser breakdown to remove material, thereby facilitating the fabrication of microstructures. This paper explores the use of LIPMM on 304 stainless steel surfaces parallel to the laser beam in different solutions, focusing on the impact of the liquid environment on the machining process. It presents a theoretical analysis of the material removal mechanisms unique to this orientation and experimentally investigates how water, a salt solution, and ethanol affect plasma shockwave characteristics. Notably, the plasma shockwave in the salt solution demonstrates the most significant peak pressure and energy, enhancing the micromachining efficiency. These findings suggest that varying the liquid environment can significantly influence LIPMM's effectiveness, offering potential improvements in precision and control. This study broadens the understanding of LIPMM applications, especially in orientations not commonly explored, and opens new possibilities for advanced micromachining techniques in various industrial applications.

This study investigates the influence of cavitation bubble dynamics on the performance of laser-induced plasma micromachining in three commonly used liquid environments: deionized water, saline solution, and ethanol. A combination of high-speed imaging experiments and numerical simulations is employed to explore how different liquid properties and focal positions affect bubble behavior and jet formation near the workpiece surface. Cavitation bubble oscillations are first captured in free-field conditions to characterize fundamental dynamics. These parameters are then used in OpenFOAM-based simulations to model bubble evolution on solid surfaces. The results reveal that saline solution produces the smallest lateral bubble expansion and the highest downward jet velocity, leading to minimal peripheral erosion and enhanced vertical material removal. Groove machining experiments in titanium alloy validate these findings and highlight the role of both plasma and cavitation in shaping machining outcomes. It is found that while plasma dominates vertical material removal, bubble jets assist in debris removal and contribute to groove formation. The results further indicate that an excessively large focal distance, despite enhancing jet velocity, reduces plasma–material coupling and weakens overall machining efficiency. This work provides valuable insights into optimizing laser-induced plasma micromachining by controlling cavitation behavior and focal positioning to balance precision and processing performance.

This study employs the simultaneous phase-shift interferometry (SPSI) system to diagnose laser-induced plasma (LIP) and shock wave (SW). In high-density LIP diagnostics, the Faraday rotation effect causes probe light polarization deflection, rendering traditional fixed-phase-demodulation methods ineffective, the Carré phase-recovery algorithm is adopted and its applicability is verified. Uncertainty analysis and precision verification show that the total phase shift uncertainty is controlled within 0.045 radians, equivalent to a refractive index accuracy of $8.55\times {10}^{-6}$, with sensitivity to weak perturbations improved by approximately one order of magnitude compared to conventional carrier-frequency interferometry. Experimental results demonstrate that the SPSI system precisely captures the initial spatiotemporal evolution of LIP and tracks shock waves at varying attenuation levels, exhibiting notable advantages in weak shock wave detection. This research validates the SPSI system’s high sensitivity to transient weak perturbations, offering a valuable diagnostic tool for high-vacuum plasmas, low-pressure shock waves, and stress waves in optical materials.