Metallic diffusion-limited aggregate (DLA) films are well-known to exhibit
near-perfect broadband optical absorption. We demonstrate that such films also
manifest a substantial and relatively material-independent photoacoustic
response, as a consequence of their random nanostructure. We theoretically and
experimentally analyze photoacoustic phenomena in DLA films, and show that they
can be used to create broadband air- coupled acoustic sources. These sources
are inexpensive and simple to fabricate, and work into the ultrasonic regime.
We illustrate the device possibilities by building and testing an
optically-addressed acoustic phased array capable of producing virtually
arbitrary acoustic intensity patterns in air.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figure
