Numerical modeling of underwater parametric propagation to detect buried objects

In underwater acoustics, detection of buried objects in sediments (cables, mines,…) is a complex problem. One reason is that acoustic attenuation in these sediments increases with frequency. To ensure sufficient penetration depth in marine sediments, low frequencies have to be used, implying a low resolution. A solution proposed to solve this problem is the parametric emission based on the nonlinear properties of the propagation medium. This method can generate a low frequency wave from two directional high frequencies beams. The parametric propagation is simulated in seawater and marine sediments. The model developed is based on the fractional-step numerical method introduced by Christopher and Parker [1]. In this method, the normal particle velocity is calculated plane by plane from the surface of the transducer to a specified distance. The effects of nonlinearity, attenuation and diffraction are calculated independently for each spatial step. Moreover, to reduce the number of spatial steps, a second order operator splitting scheme is used. The diffraction computation is based on a method of angular spectrum in the frequency domain where the field across a source plane is described by a spatial frequency distribution. To improve code stability, the effects of nonlinearity and attenuation are calculated and associated in shorter propagation substeps. At the interface between water and marine sediments, the transmission conditions are applied. Several tests have been carried out in different configurations (changing the primary frequencies, the parametric frequency, the source geometry, the inclination of the source with the interface, the focal distance,…). The 3D velocity field is calculated in each case, thereby allowing to know the directivity of the source, the velocity amplitude in sediments and the performance

The parametric propagation in underwater acoustics : experimental results

In underwater acoustics, detection of buried objects in sediments (cables, mines, . . . ) is a complex problem. Indeed, in order to ensure sufficient penetration depth in marine sediments, low frequencies have to be used, implying a low resolution. A solution proposed to solve this problem is the parametric emission based on the nonlinear properties of seawater. This method can generate a low frequency wave from two directional high frequencies beams. The aim of this work is to present experimental results of a parametric propagation. Experiments have been carried out in a water tank in various configurations. These experimental measurements are then compared with simulation results obtained with a numerical model based on a fractional-step method presented at the Underwater Acoustic Measurements conference in 2011

Taming the degeneration of Bessel beams at anisotropic-isotropic interface: toward 3D control of confined vortical waves

Despite their self-reconstruction properties in heterogeneous media, Bessel beams are known to degenerate when they are refracted from an isotropic to an anisotropic medium. In this paper, we study the converse situation wherein an anisotropic Bessel beam is refracted into an isotropic medium. It is shown that these anisotropic Bessel beams also degenerate, leading to confined vortical waves that may serve as localized particle trap for acoustical tweezers. The linear nature of this degeneration allows the 3D control of this trap position by wavefront correction. Theory is confronted to experiments performed in the field of acoustics. A swirling surface acoustic wave is synthesized at the surface of a piezoelectric crystal by a MEMS integrated system and radiated inside a miniature liquid vessel. The wavefront correction is operated with inverse filter technique. This work opens perspectives for contactless on-chip manipulation devices

Numerical modeling of underwater parametric propagation to detect buried objects

In underwater acoustics, detection of buried objects in sediments (cables, mines,…) is a complex problem. One reason is that acoustic attenuation in these sediments increases with frequency. To ensure sufficient penetration depth in marine sediments, low frequencies have to be used, implying a low resolution. A solution proposed to solve this problem is the parametric emission based on the nonlinear properties of the propagation medium. This method can generate a low frequency wave from two directional high frequencies beams. The parametric propagation is simulated in seawater and marine sediments. The model developed is based on the fractional-step numerical method introduced by Christopher and Parker [1]. In this method, the normal particle velocity is calculated plane by plane from the surface of the transducer to a specified distance. The effects of nonlinearity, attenuation and diffraction are calculated independently for each spatial step. Moreover, to reduce the number of spatial steps, a second order operator splitting scheme is used. The diffraction computation is based on a method of angular spectrum in the frequency domain where the field across a source plane is described by a spatial frequency distribution. To improve code stability, the effects of nonlinearity and attenuation are calculated and associated in shorter propagation substeps. At the interface between water and marine sediments, the transmission conditions are applied. Several tests have been carried out in different configurations (changing the primary frequencies, the parametric frequency, the source geometry, the inclination of the source with the interface, the focal distance,…). The 3D velocity field is calculated in each case, thereby allowing to know the directivity of the source, the velocity amplitude in sediments and the performance

Synthesis of anisotropic swirling surface acoustic waves by inverse filter, towards integrated generators of acoustical vortices

From radio-electronics signal analysis to biological samples actuation, surface acoustic waves (SAW) are involved in a multitude of modern devices. Despite this versatility, SAW transducers developed up to date only authorize the synthesis of the most simple standing or progressive waves such as plane and focused waves. In particular, acoustical integrated sources able to generate acoustical vortices (the analogue of optical vortices) are missing. In this work, we propose a flexible tool based on inverse filter technique and arrays of SAW transducers enabling the synthesis of prescribed complex wave patterns at the surface of anisotropic media. The potential of this setup is illustrated by the synthesis of a 2D analog of 3D acoustical vortices, namely "swirling surface acoustic waves". Similarly to their 3D counterpart, they appear as concentric structures of bright rings with a phase singularity in their center resulting in a central dark spot. Swirling SAW can be useful in fragile sensors whose neighborhood needs vigorous actuation, and may also serve as integrated transducers for acoustical vortices. Since these waves are essential to fine acoustical tweezing, swirling SAW may become the cornerstone of future micrometric devices for contactless manipulation

Cell detachment and label-free cell sorting using modulated surface acoustic waves (SAW) in droplet-based microfluidics

We present a droplet-based surface acoustic wave (SAW) system designed to viably detach biological cells from a surface and sort cell types based on differences in adhesion strength (adhesion contrast), without the need to label cells with molecular markers. The system uses modulated SAW to generate pulsatile flows in the droplets and efficiently detach the cells, thereby minimizing SAW excitation power and exposure time. As a proof-of-principle, the system is shown to efficiently sort HEK 293 from A7r5 cells based on adhesion contrast. Results are obtained in minutes with sorting purity and efficiency reaching 97 % and 95 %, respectively.Comment: Accepted for publication in Lab on a Chi

Multilayer modeling of thermoacoustic sound generation for thermophone analysis and design

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