The Moving Thermoacoustic Array.
Abstract
In the optoacoustic sound generation process, a laser beam is directed at the water surface to produce a controlled local reaction which, in turn, generates sound waves. At low optical intensities, the reaction is a linear thermal expansion of the medium; hence the term thermoacoustic source. Extremely high Doppler shifts are achievable by scanning the laser beam across the water. A theoretical model of the thermoacoustic source was developed that uses a time domain approach. Special attention was paid to the sonic and transonic conditions where high pressure transients can be generated which may have practical applications. It was found that the thermoacoustic conversion process was most efficient when the optical energy was delivered as an impulse train. The efficiency upperbound for sea water was found to be limited, and therefore a more efficient process was sought. It is expected that processes that are significantly more efficent may be found at higher laser intensities. Keywords: Moving thermoacoustic source.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 25, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA174677
Entities
People
- Illene J. Busch-vishniac
- Nicholas P. Chotiros
- Yves H. Berthelot
Organizations
- University of Texas at Austin