Spherical Wave Source Research Articles

Half-Space Sound Field Reconstruction Based on the Combination of the Helmholtz Equation Least-Squares Method and Equivalent Source Method.

In practical conditions, near-field acoustic holography (NAH) requires the measurement environment to be a free sound field. If vibrating objects are located above the reflective ground, the sound field becomes non-free in the presence of a reflecting surface, and conventional NAH may not identify the sound source. In this work, two types of half-space NAH techniques based on the Helmholtz equation least-squares (HELS) method are developed to reconstruct the sound field above a reflecting plane. The techniques are devised by introducing the concept of equivalent source in HELS-method-based NAH. Two equivalent sources are tested. In one technique, spherical waves are used as the equivalent source, and the sound reflected from the reflecting surface is regarded as a linear superposition of orthogonal spherical wave functions of different orders located below the reflecting surface. In the other technique, some monopoles are considered equivalent sources, and the reflected sound is considered a series of sounds generated by simple sources distributed under the reflecting surface. The sound field is reconstructed by matching the pressure measured on the holographic surface with the orthogonal spherical wave source in the vibrating object and replacing the reflected sound with an equivalent source. Therefore, neither technique is related to the surface impedance of the reflected plane. Compared with the HELS method, both methods show higher reconstruction accuracy for a half-space sound field and are expected to broaden the application range of HELS-method-based NAH techniques.

Visualizing Ultrasound Sources Using Signal Time Reversal in the Particle Dynamics Model

A method is proposed for solving the inverse problem of reconstructing acoustic wave sources from field measurements on some surface using wavefront reversal in the particle dynamics method. In this method, the studied medium is represented as a set of interacting particles (material points or solid bodies), for which classical equations of motion are written. The paper considers the representation of a medium as a set of particles in a body-centered cubic crystal lattice. The case of a linear dependence of the force of attraction of particles on distance is considered. The advantage of this approach is the ability to take into account wave propagation in arbitrarily inhomogeneous media using a single numerical model. The possibility of visualizing two spherical acoustic wave sources in water behind an obstacle has been demonstrated numerically and experimentally, despite the presence of transverse waves in the considered model of a solid body; their influence is negligible in this case. The method was tested experimentally on a soundproof screen with an aperture simulating a sound-emitting object of complex shape. A wave from a point source of short pulses passes through the aperture. Using a receiving acoustic sensor mounted on a two-dimensional scanner, the spatiotemporal distribution of sound vibrations on the water surface was measured. By processing the datausing wavefront reversal in the particle model, the image of the aperture in the soundproof screen was reconstructed.

Adapting a Blu-ray optical pickup unit as a point source for digital lensless holographic microscopy.

The adaptation of an off-the-shelf Blu-ray optical pickup unit (OPU) into a highly versatile point source for digital lensless holographic microscopy (DLHM) is presented. DLHM performance is mostly determined by the optical properties of the point source of spherical waves used for free-space magnification of the sample's diffraction pattern; in particular, its wavelength and numerical aperture define the achievable resolution, and its distance to the recording medium sets the magnification. Through a set of straightforward modifications, a commercial Blu-ray OPU can be transformed into a DLHM point source with three selectable wavelengths, a numerical aperture of up to 0.85, and integrated micro-displacements in both axial and transversal directions. The functionality of the OPU-based point source is then experimentally validated in the observation of micrometer-sized calibrated samples and biological specimens of common interest, showing the feasibility of obtaining sub-micrometer resolution and offering a versatile option for the development of new cost-effective and portable microscopy devices.

Point diffraction interferometer based on a silicon nitride waveguide spherical wave source.

A point diffraction interferometer based on silicon nitride waveguide (WG-PDI), adopting a silicon nitride waveguide spherical wave source (WG-SWS) with Si substrate and SiO2 cladding, is proposed for spherical surface testing. The WG-SWS is used to overcome the drawbacks of the existing spherical wave sources, which can generate high accuracy and high numerical aperture spherical reference wave. In this paper, the theory of the WG-PDI is described, and the possible errors introduced by the device are analyzed. In addition, the lateral deviation between the curvature center of the test wave and the curvature center of the reference wave cannot be eliminated in the reflected configuration of the pinhole diffraction interferometer. After analyzing the influence of the systematic error introduced by the lateral deviation, the semi-reflective film was coated on the output facet of the waveguide spherical wave source to realize point diffraction interference without lateral deviation. Finally, the surface error of a spherical surface was measured by WG-PDI. The experimental results agree well with those measured by the ZYGO interferometer.

Gain Enhancement Planar Lens Antenna based on Wideband Focusing Gradient Meta-surface

A three-layered transmitting focusing gradient meta-surface (FGMS) has been proposed, which can achieve broadband gain enhancement from 8.2 GHz to 10 GHz. The element of broadband transmitting FGMS has high transmitting efficiencies that over 0.7 and achieve [0, 2π] phase range with a flat and linear trend in the operating band. The FGMS can transform the spherical waves into plane waves. Three patch antennas working at 8.2 GHz, 9.1 GHz, and 10 GHz respectively are placed the focus of broadband FGMS as the spherical-wave source to build a broadband planar lens antenna system. It achieves a simulation gain of 15.44 dBi which is 7.51dB higher than that of the bare patch antenna at 10 GHz with satisfying SLLs and beamwidths. However, it enhanced the gain of the bare patch antenna in a wide operating band. Finally, the FGMS and the patch antenna are fabricated and measured. The measured results are in good agreement with the simulations.

Compact high-aperture interferometer with a diffractive reference wave for high-precision referenceless aberration measurements of optical elements and systems

We present the optical layout and actual design of a compact high-aperture referenceless point diffraction interferometer with a diffraction reference wave. The basic concept of this interferometer is based on a single-mode optical fibre with a subwave output aperture, which is used as a source of spherical reference waves. The interferometer is designed for high-precision measurements of the surface shape and aberrations of optical elements. It makes use of a diffraction reference wave and is developed for mass industrial applications. The proposed design does not require the involvement of special external conditions, and reduces the need for calibrated reference surfaces. We evaluate the performance of our interferometer for highprecision measurements and demonstrate its use by presenting results obtained from measuring the shapes of spherical references from various manufacturers and the aberration of a five lens objective.

Scattering of elastic spherical P, SV, and SH waves by three-dimensional hill in a layered half-space

In this paper, the method of combining indirect boundary element method (IBEM) with the region-matching technique is used to solve the seismic responses of a three-dimensional (3D) hill in a layered half-space subjected to spherical P, SV, and SH waves. The direct stiffness method and Hankel transform method are used to solve the free field of spherical wave source field, and the scattering field is constructed by Green's function in half-space. The correctness and accuracy of this method are verified by comparing with the results of several literatures. This method can be used to deal with arbitrary-shaped hill topography, and has the advantages of wide applicability, high accuracy and fast convergence. Taking Gaussian hill topography as an example, the scattering phenomenon of hill under the incidence of spherical P, SV and SH waves is studied, and the influences of hill topography, source location and frequency on site seismic responses are explored. The results show that: Existence of the hill topography has evident focusing effect, which significantly enlarges the seismic response on the hill surface, and the hill has evident isolation effect in the process of energy propagation; With higher frequency of the incident wave, the fluctuation amplitude of displacement on the hill surface increases; The fluctuation amplitude of horizontal displacement on the hill surface is SV wave > SH wave > P wave, and the vertical displacement is P wave > SV wave.

Elastic wave field simulation of a three-dimensional sedimentary basin for incident spherical P, SV, and SH waves

In this paper, the source is assumed to be a more realistic spherical wave than plane wave, and the scattering of spherical P, SV and SH waves by 3D sedimentary basins is studied by using IBEM. The total wave field is decomposed into free wave field and scattered wave field. The free wave field is solved by direct stiffness method combined with Hankel transformation, while the scattered wave field is simulated by dynamic Green's function. The correctness of the method is verified by comparing the results calculated by this method with those in published literature. Taking the model of a semi elliptical sedimentary basin as an example, the effects of source location, incident wave frequency, shear wave velocity ratio between bedrock and single rock on surface displacement amplitude are studied. The results show that: under the incident of spherical wave source, the sedimentary basin has obvious amplification effect on the surface displacement for different source location, and the larger the incident frequency, more obvious the amplification effect is; in the layered half-space, when the incident frequency is low, the shear wave velocity ratio has a significant effect on the basin surface displacement.

Optical Fiber Point-Source for Digital Lensless Holographic Microscopy

In this paper, cone-shaped optical fibers as point light sources of spherical waves for digital lensless holographic microscopy (DLHM) are developed and evaluated. The resolution characterization of DLHM with cone-shaped fibers was carried out and a comparative analysis with respect to the pinhole illumination system was developed. The results are very encouraging and support the viability of these cone-shape fibers as a technological alternative to the pinhole illumination system for DLHM.

Acoustic Transmission Characteristics Based on H-Type Metamaterials

To achieve the artificial manipulation of the acoustic wave front, and to produce high-efficiency acoustic focusing effect, this paper designed an <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$H$ </tex-math></inline-formula> -type locally resonant metamaterial structure based on a two-dimensional three-component local resonance unit. The transmission characteristics of acoustic waves in this model were analyzed by using COMSOL, which is a finite element simulation software. We found that the incident acoustic energy was absorbed by the model, and the transmission path was consistent with the model structure. We also found that in different frequencies, the transmission characteristics of acoustic waves were different. The acoustic transmission characteristics improved as the waves approached the resonant frequency. Because of the flexibility and controllability of metamaterials, the structure can be designed according to specific conditions in practical applications to meet the resonant frequency required for transmitting acoustic signals, thus, improving the acoustic transmission efficiency. In addition, if the point excitation source of spherical waves was replaced by the line excitation source of plane waves, a plane acoustic wave focusing phenomenon would occur, which further proved that the local resonance acoustic metamaterial has good focusing characteristics and manipulation characteristics. The result of our research provides a new direction for underwater acoustic imaging, acoustic communication, and acoustic detection.

Computer simulations of X-ray spherical wave dynamical diffraction in one and two crystals in the Laue case.

This article reports computer simulations of X-ray spherical wave dynamical diffraction in one and two single crystals in the Laue case. An X-ray compound refractive lens (CRL) as a secondary radiation source of spherical waves was considered for the first time and in contrast to previous simulations with the assumption of the use of a slit. The main properties of the CRL as a secondary source are discussed and two focusing phenomena are analysed. The first one is the diffraction focusing effect for one single crystal in the reflected beam and in the case of a large source-to-detector distance. The second one is the same but for two single crystals and for the twice-reflected beam in the case of a short distance between the source and detector. The first effect is well pronounced in the case of strong absorption. However, it may also be used as an element of an energy spectrometer in the medium and even weak absorption case. The second effect will appear in the case of weak absorption. It is shown that it is not effective to use it in an energy spectrometer. In the case of weak absorption the transverse size of the diffraction focused beam will oscillate together with the reflected beam integral intensity. The oscillation period is close to the extinction length.

Time reversal focusing of high amplitude sound in a reverberation chamber.

Time reversal (TR) is a signal processing technique that can be used for intentional sound focusing. While it has been studied in room acoustics, the application of TR to produce a high amplitude focus of sound in a room has not yet been explored. The purpose of this study is to create a virtual source of spherical waves with TR that are of sufficient intensity to study nonlinear acoustic propagation. A parameterization study of deconvolution, one-bit, clipping, and decay compensation TR methods is performed to optimize high amplitude focusing and temporal signal focus quality. Of all TR methods studied, clipping is shown to produce the highest amplitude focal signal. An experiment utilizing eight horn loudspeakers in a reverberation chamber is done with the clipping TR method. A peak focal amplitude of 9.05 kPa (173.1 dB peak re 20 μPa) is achieved. Results from this experiment indicate that this high amplitude focusing is a nonlinear process.

Beam steering performance of compressed Luneburg lens based on transformation optics

Abstract In this paper, two types of compressed Luneburg lenses based on transformation optics are investigated and simulated using two different sources, namely, waveguides and dipoles, which represent plane and spherical wave sources, respectively. We determined that the largest beam steering angle and the related feed point are intrinsic characteristics of a certain type of compressed Luneburg lens, and that the optimized distance between the feed and lens, gain enhancement, and side-lobe suppression are related to the type of source. Based on our results, we anticipate that these lenses will prove useful in various future antenna applications.

Scintillation index of optical spherical wave propagating through biological tissue

Effects of the tissue turbulence on the propagation of an optical spherical wave are analysed. For this purpose, scintillation index of an optical spherical wave which is propagating in a soft tissue is formulated and evaluated in weakly turbulent soft tissue. Scintillation index of the optical spherical wave is examined against the changes in the tissue parameters which are the tissue length between the optical spherical wave source and the detector, random variations in the refractive index of the tissue and the outer scale of the tissue turbulence. According to our graphical outputs, it is observed that increase in the random variations of the refractive index of the tissue results in an increase in the scintillation index at a certain realization of the turbulence spectrum. On the other hand, larger outer scales and longer tissue lengths yield larger scintillations. The variation of the scintillation index of the optical spherical wave versus the wavelength is also investigated. It is found that at small tissue lengths, wavelength has almost no effect on the scintillations; however, when the tissue length reaches a certain value, shorter wavelengths give rise to larger intensity fluctuations.

Diffraction-resistant scalar beams generated by a parabolic reflector and a source of spherical waves.

In this work, we propose the generation of diffraction-resistant beams by using a parabolic reflector and a source of spherical waves positioned at a point slightly displaced from its focus (away from the reflector). In our analysis, considering the reflector dimensions much greater than the wavelength, we describe the main characteristics of the resulting beams, showing their properties of resistance to the diffraction effects. Due to its simplicity, this method may be an interesting alternative for the generation of long-range diffraction-resistant waves.

Antenna De-embedding in FDTD-Based Radio Propagation Prediction by Using Spherical Wave Function

Finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method is one of the promising approaches for the propagation prediction. However, since the computational domain includes both the antennas and the propagation environment, their coupling prevents evaluating individual contributions to the channel response. As a result, the simulation becomes always specific to the given antenna type or orientation and cannot be reused for other configurations. The simulation also requires the internal structure of the antenna which is often unavailable and/or difficult to be modeled. These problems can be addressed by antenna de-embeddeding which separately models the antenna and the propagation environment, hence the purpose of this paper. In particular, this paper proposes the implementation of spherical-wave-function (SWF) channel modeling using the FDTD method. Instead of modeling the real antenna structures inside the computational domain, the single-mode spherical wave source and the observation points are utilized. The spherical wave source is achieved by a cubical dipole array. The spherical wave source is first validated, including the investigation of the effects of cell and array size. The narrowband channel response synthesized by the proposed approach is then validated numerically through comparison with the transmission formula in free space and the conventional antenna-embedded simulation in the human shadowing environment as well.

Ultrasonic power transfer from a spherical acoustic wave source to a free-free piezoelectric receiver: Modeling and experiment

Contactless powering of small electronic components has lately received growing attention for wireless applications in which battery replacement or tethered charging is undesired or simply impossible, and ambient energy harvesting is not a viable solution. As an alternative to well-studied methods of contactless energy transfer, such as the inductive coupling method, the use of ultrasonic waves transmitted and received by piezoelectric devices enables larger power transmission distances, which is critical especially for deep-implanted electronic devices. Moreover, energy transfer by means of acoustic waves is well suited in situations where no electromagnetic fields are allowed. The limited literature of ultrasonic acoustic energy transfer is mainly centered on proof-of-concept experiments demonstrating the feasibility of this method, lacking experimentally validated modeling efforts for the resulting multiphysics problem that couples the source and receiver dynamics with domain acoustics. In this work, we present fully coupled analytical, numerical, and experimental multiphysics investigations for ultrasonic acoustic energy transfer from a spherical wave source to a piezoelectric receiver bar that operates in the 33-mode of piezoelectricity. The fluid-loaded piezoelectric receiver under free-free mechanical boundary conditions is shunted to an electrical load for quantifying the electrical power output for a given acoustic source strength of the transmitter. The analytical acoustic-piezoelectric structure interaction modeling framework is validated experimentally, and the effects of system parameters are reported along with optimal electrical loading and frequency conditions of the receiver.

Laser control of filament-induced shock wave in water

We discovered that tight focusing of Cr:forsterite femtosecond laser radiation in water provides the unique opportunity of long filament generation. The filament becomes a source of numerous spherical shock waves whose radius tends to saturate with the increase of energy. These overlapping waves create a contrast cylindrical shock wave. The laser-induced shock wave parameters such as shape, amplitude and speed can be effectively controlled by varying energy and focusing geometry of the femtosecond pulse. Aberrations added to the optical scheme lead to multiple dotted plasma sources for shock wave formation, spaced along the optical axis. Increasing the laser energy launches filaments at each dot that enhance the length of the entire filament and as a result, the shock impact on the material.

Initial Considerations Towards Hemispherical Near-Field Antenna Measurements

A new method for hemispherical near-field antenna measurements is proposed. The method allows the extraction of free-space antenna coefficients from field measurements of the antenna located above both ideal PEC and PMC image planes alternatively. To present the method, first the Image Rule for Vector Spherical Wave Sources is used to find an expression for the total radiated fields above ideal planes. This expression is validated analytically through the verification of boundary and symmetry conditions. The resulting field expression is analogous to the standard free-space expansion, but with a set of equivalent “over-plane” antenna coefficients that capture the effect of the plane through the definition of an image matrix. Thus, symmetry can be used to synthesize a full sphere from hemispherical measurements only. Therefore, standard spherical near-field algorithms can be used to extract the equivalent over-plane coefficients. Finally, a combined image matrix is proposed that can be directly inverted to extract the free-space coefficients once the equivalent PEC and PMC over-plane coefficients are known. Numerical examples are used to illustrate the method.

Droplet characteristic measurement in Fourier interferometry imaging and behavior at the rainbow angle

This paper presents the possibility of measuring the three-dimensional (3D) relative locations and diameters of a set of spherical particles and discusses the behavior of the light recorded around the rainbow angle, an essential step toward refractive index measurements. When a set of particles is illuminated by a pulsed incident wave, the particles act as spherical light wave sources. When the pulse duration is short enough to fix the particle location (typically about 10ns), interference fringes between these different spherical waves can be recorded. The Fourier transform of the fringes divides the complex fringe systems into a series of spots, with each spot characterizing the interference between a pair of particles. The analyses of these spots (in position and shape) potentially allow the measurement of particle characteristics (3D relative position, particle diameter, and particle refractive index value).