Phase order and energy localization in acoustic propagation in random bubbly liquids

Abstract

Propagation of acoustic waves in liquid media containing many air-filled bubbles is studied using a self-consistent approach. It is shown that under proper conditions, multiple scattering leads to a peculiar phase transition in acoustic propagation. When the phase transition occurs, not only the acoustic waves are confined in the neighborhood of the transmitting source, but a previously unsuspected collective behavior of the air bubbles appears, responsible for effective cancellation of the propagating wave. A novel phase diagram method is used to depict the phase transition.