The lifesaver bit is pretty different, but it is neat chemistry. Most think that you crack the sugar emitting a photon in the UV which is absorbed by methyl salicylate (an oil that gives the lifesaver the wintergreen flavor). The photon excites the methyl salicylate and fluoresces in the visible (blueish-green region). These are the sparks you see-- standard fluorescence, not sonoluminescence.
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The lifesaver bit is pretty different, but it is neat chemistry. Most think that you crack the sugar emitting a photon in the UV which is absorbed by methyl salicylate (an oil that gives the lifesaver the wintergreen flavor). The photon excites the methyl salicylate and fluoresces in the visible (blueish-green region). These are the sparks you see-- standard fluorescence, not sonoluminescence.