Theoretical and experimental investigation of the backward beam displacement.

Abstract

The discovery of a backward beam displacement of ultrasound interacting with a periodically corrugated surface, dates back from 1976, when Breazeale and Torbett reported it [Appl. Phys. Lett. 29, 456 (1976)]. Since 2002 new investigations have been undertaken partially motivated by Breazeales enthusiasm. An overview is presented of how the phenomenon was first discovered in 1976, how a theoretical explanation was found since 2002 [Declercq et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 82, 2533 (2003); Declercq et al., J. Appl. Phys. 96, 6869–6877 (2004)] and what further verifications and discoveries have been made since then [Teklu et al., J. Appl. Phys. 97, 084904 1 (2005)]. The report also highlights new research showing the ubiquitous presence of the phenomenon and its importance for nondestructive applications [Herbison et al., J. Acoust. Soc. Am. In press].