Far-field acoustic subwavelength imaging and edge detection based on spatial filtering and wave vector conversion

Chu Ma,Nicholas X Fang,Seok Kim

doi:10.1038/s41467-018-08221-7

Chu Ma, Nicholas X Fang + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-08221-7

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Journal: Nature Communications	Publication Date: Jan 14, 2019
Citations: 42	License type: open-access

Affiliation: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Abstract

The resolution of acoustic imaging suffers from diffraction limit due to the loss of evanescent field that carries subwavelength information. Most of the current methods for overcoming the diffraction limit in acoustics still operate in the near-field of the object. Here we demonstrate the design and experimental realization of an acoustic far-field subwavelength imaging system. Our system is based on wave vector filtering and conversion with a transmitter at the near-field and a spatially symmetrical receiver at the far-field. By tuning geometric parameters of the transmitting/receiving pair, different spatial frequency bands can be separated and projected to the far-field. Furthermore, far-field imaging and edge detection of subwavelength objects are experimentally demonstrated. The proposed system brings new possibilities for far-field subwavelength wave manipulation, which can be further applied to medical imaging, nondestructive testing, and acoustic communication.

Highlights

The resolution of acoustic imaging suffers from diffraction limit due to the loss of evanescent field that carries subwavelength information
Acoustic imaging techniques have been widely used in areas such as medical ultrasonic imaging[1], nondestructive testing[2], and underwater sonar systems[3,4]
The distance is extended by using existing acoustic metamaterials, the thermal viscous loss due to wave propagation in resonating elements is still a major factor that limits the use of metamaterial-based lenses in subwavelength imaging

Summary

Introduction

The resolution of acoustic imaging suffers from diffraction limit due to the loss of evanescent field that carries subwavelength information. We propose mechanisms in acoustics to realize the functions of optical surface plasma and grating, and combine them to demonstrate an acoustic far-field subwavelength imaging system.

Results

Conclusion