A self-silenced sound beam

Abstract

Parametric loudspeakers are transmitting two high power ultrasound frequencies. During propagation through the air, nonlinear interaction creates a narrow sound beam at the difference frequency, similar to a light beam from a torch. In this work is added the physical phenomenon of propagation cancellation, leaving a limited region within which the sound can be heard—a 1 meter long cylinder with diameter 8 cm. It is equivalent to a torch which would only illuminate objects within 1 meter. The concept is demonstrated both in simulation and in experiment.