Experimental realization of a nonlinear acoustic lens with a tunable focus

Abstract

We realize a nonlinear acoustic lens composed of a two-dimensional array of sphere chains interfaced with water. The chains are able to support solitary waves which, when interfaced with a linear medium, transmit compact pulses with minimal oscillations. When focused, the lens is able to produce compact pressure pulses of high amplitude, the “sound bullets.” We demonstrate that the focal point can be controlled via pre-compression of the individual chains, as this changes the wave speed within them. The experimental results agree well both spatially and temporally with analytical predictions over a range of focus locations.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Jan 06, 2014
Source ID
10.1063/1.4857635

Entities

People

  • Carly M. Donahue
  • Chiara Daraio
  • Luca Bonanomi
  • Paul W. J. Anzel
  • Thomas A. Keller

Organizations

  • California Institute of Technology
  • ETH Zurich
  • Office of Naval Research

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Enterprise Information Systems Architecture and Joint Command Capability Interoperability Support.
  • Phased Array Antenna Design.
  • Wave Propagation and Nonlinear Chaotic Dynamics.