Pulling force of acoustic-vortex beams on centered elastic spheres based on the annular transducer model

To solve the difficulty of generating an ideal Bessel beam, an simplified annular transducer model is proposed to study the axial acoustic radiation force(ARF) and the corresponding negative ARF(pulling force) exerted on centered elastic spheres for acoustic-vortex(AV) beams of arbitrary orders. Based on the theory of acoustic scattering, the axial distributions of the velocity potential and the ARF for AV beams of different orders generated by the annular transducers with different physical sizes are simulated. It is proved that the pulling force can be generated by AV beams of arbitrary orders with multiple axial regions. The pulling force is more likely to exert on the sphere with a smaller k_0a(product of the wave number and the radius) for the AV beam with a bigger topological charge due to the strengthened off-axis acoustic scattering. The pulling force decreases with the increase of the axial distance for the sphere with a bigger k_0a.More pulling force areas with wider axial regions can be formed by AV beams using a bigger-sized annular transducer.The theoretical results demonstrate the feasibility of generating the pulling force along the axes of AV beams using the experimentally applicable circular array of planar transducers, and suggest application potentials for multi-position stable object manipulations in biomedical engineering.     

Random phase screen influence of the inhomogeneous tissue layer on the generation of acoustic vortices

The influence of the inhomogeneous tissue layer on the generation of acoustic vortices(AV) is studied theoretically and experimentally based on the phase screen model. By considering the time-shift of a random phase screen, the formula of acoustic pressure for the AV beam generated by a circular array of eight planar piston sources is derived. With the actual correlation length of the abdominal wall, numerical simulations before and after the insertion of the inhomogeneous tissue layer are conducted, and also demonstrated by experimental measurements. It is proved that, when the thickness variation of the phase screen is less than one wavelength, no significant influence on the generation of AVs can be produced. The variations of vortex nodes and antinodes in terms of the location, shape, and size of AVs are not obvious. Although the circular pressure distribution might be deformed by the phase interference with a larger thickness variation, AVs can still be generated around the center axis with perfect phase spirals in a reduced effective radius. The favorable results provide the feasibility of AV generation inside the human body and suggest the application potential of AVs in object manipulation for biomedical engineering.     

共轴双涡旋声束形成离轴多涡旋的定位

涡旋声束具有螺旋的相位波前,中轴线上形成声强为零的相位奇点,其所携带的轨道角动量在粒子操控领域有着广阔的应用前景。传统声涡旋只在传播轴线上形成一个拓扑荷可控的涡旋波束,这限制了声涡旋的应用灵活性。基于环形点声源阵列和相位编码技术,利用奇偶声源分别产生共轴双涡旋声束的声场叠加,在传播截面上形成了具有中心涡旋和子涡旋的离轴多涡旋声场;研究了双涡旋拓扑参数对离轴涡旋的个数、位置及拓扑荷的影响,基于声涡旋的径向声压和相位分布,确定了离轴涡旋的离轴半径,并结合声源位置推导子涡旋中心方位角的计算公式,实现离轴涡旋的精确定位。本研究突破了沿轴分布的涡旋声场只能形成单点涡旋势阱的操控局限,为利用离轴多涡旋实现多点粒子捕获提供了理论依据,促进涡旋声场在精确粒子操控和传输方面的高效应用。      

恒定束宽扬声器线阵列优化研究

为了保持恒定束宽扬声器(Constant beamwidth transducer,CBT)线阵列高频指向性恒定,解决单元间距过小的问题,减小阵元数目,提出了利用声波导代替扬声器单元,建立了波导CBT阵列的声场模型。基于数值计算结果和数据分析,比较了不同阵元数目的波导CBT阵列和CBT阵列的指向性和声场分布,讨论了有效辐射率和使用阵元数目的关系。通过提高有效辐射率可以有效降低CBT阵列所需阵元数目,解决了扬声器单元间距过小的问题。     

Hypersonic‐Induced 3D Hydrodynamic Tweezers for Versatile Manipulations of Micro/Nanoscale Objects

Developing microrobots for precisely manipulating micro/nanoscale objects has triggered tremendous research interest for various applications in biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering. Here, a novel hypersonic‐induced hydrodynamic tweezers (HSHTs), which use gigahertz nano‐electromechanical resonator to create localized 3D vortex streaming array for the capture and manipulation of micro‐ and nanoparticles in three orientations: transportation in a plane and self‐rotation in place, are presented. 3D vortex streaming can effectively pick up particles from the flow, whereas the high‐speed rotating vortices are used to drive self‐rotation simultaneously. By tuning flow rate, the captured particles can be delivered, queued, and selectively sorted through the 3D HSHTs. Through numerical simulations and theoretical analysis, the generation of the 3D vortex and the mechanism of the particles manipulation by ultrahigh frequency acoustic wave are demonstrated. Benefitting from the advantages of the acoustic and hydrodynamic method, the developed HSHTs work in a precise, noninvasive, label‐free, and contact‐free manner, enabling wide applications in micro/nanoscale manipulations and biomedical research.     

水声工程中基于均匀圆阵列的涡旋声波性能分析*

声波作为信息和能量的载体,一直以来在水下通信中被广泛采用,但尚未解决带宽窄、速率低的问题。在光学领域和电磁波领域,轨道角动量都表征了螺旋相位结构的自然属性;通过引入轨道角动量到声学领域中,水声通信系统的传输能力以及频谱效率都得到扩展。基于换能器圆阵列产生涡旋声波进行分析和检测,研究涡旋声波波束的阵列产生方法,给出涡旋声波波束在水下传播的特性。在主轴方向,采用均匀圆阵列产生不同拓扑模式的涡旋声波波束,确定轨道角动量拓扑模式与换能器阵列之间的对应关系;为生成不同拓扑模式下的涡旋声波,研究阵列单元数目、阵列半径、传输频率等对涡旋声波的影响。通过研究发现模式数越高,涡旋声波主瓣波束角越大,主瓣峰值越小。阵列半径越大,主瓣波束角越大,而主瓣峰值则随着阵列半径的增大而减小;频率越高,主瓣波束角越小,主瓣峰值变化不大;阵列单元数对主瓣波束角无影响,但与主瓣峰值成正比关系,阵列单元数越多,主瓣峰值越大。     

High frequency acoustic microscopy with Fresnel zoom lens

The acoustic field distributions and the convergent beams generated by the planar-structure Fresnel zone transducers on solid surface are investigated. Because only 0 and 180 degree phase transducers are used, an imaging system with the Fresnel zoom lens could work at very high frequency, which overcomes the frequency limit of the traditional phased array acoustic imaging system. Simulation results are given to illustrate the acoustic field distributions along the focal axis and the whole plane as well. Based on the principle of scanning of the focus with the change of frequency for the excited signal, an experimental imaging system is also built. Acoustic Fresnel zone transducers are fabricated at center frequency of 400 MHz. Measurements and detections of the known hole flaws at different depths of the fused quartz sample are presented to show that the imaging system with Fresnel zoom lens could move its focus by only changing the frequency of the excited signal.     

Residue-free acoustofluidic manipulation of microparticles via removal of microchannel anechoic corner

Surface acoustic wave (SAW)-based acoustofluidics has shown significant promise to manipulate micro/nanoscale objects for biomedical applications, e.g. cell separation, enrichment, and sorting. A majority of the acoustofluidic devices utilize microchannels with rectangular cross-section where the acoustic waves propagate in the direction perpendicular to the sample flow. A region with weak acoustic wave intensity, termed microchannel anechoic corner (MAC), is formed inside a rectangular microchannel of the acoustofluidic devices where the ultrasonic waves refract into the fluid at the Rayleigh angle with respect to the normal to the substrate. Due to the absence of a strong acoustic field within the MAC, the microparticles flowing adjacent to the microchannel wall remain unaffected by a direct SAW-induced acoustic radiation force (ARF). Moreover, an acoustic streaming flow (ASF) vortex produced within the MAC pulls the particles further into the corner and away from the direct ARF influence. Therefore, a residue of particles continues to flow past the SAWs without intended deflection, causing a decrease in microparticle manipulation efficiency. In this work, we introduce a cross-type acoustofluidic device composed of a half-circular microchannel, fabricated through a thermal reflow of a positive photoresist mold, to overcome the limitations associated with rectangular microchannels, prone to the MAC formation. We investigated the effects of different microchannel cross-sectional shapes with varying contact angles on the microparticle deflection in a continuous flow and found three distinct regimes of particle deflection. By systematically removing the MAC out of the microchannel cross-section, we achieved residue-free acoustofluidic microparticle manipulation via SAW-induced ARF inside a half-circular microchannel. The proposed method was applied to efficient fluorescent coating of the microparticles in a size-selective manner without any residue particles left undeflected in the MAC.     

Acoustic cluster control of noise radiated from a planar structure

Acoustic cluster control is proposed for the purpose of achieving global sound attenuation of a planar structure. First, acoustic cluster filtering using a point sensor array is presented, which enables the grouping of sound radiated from a target object into a set of clusters, such that each cluster possesses the same common characteristics. This allows the possibility of extracting the cluster of interest without causing observation spillover. Based on the principle of reciprocity, cluster actuation using a point source array is then presented. Driving the source array in accordance with a proposed control law, the excitation of the designated cluster is performed without causing control spillover. Moreover, by combining both acoustic cluster filtering and acoustic cluster actuation, acoustic cluster control may be performed. In implementing acoustic cluster control, the necessary and sufficient condition for the acoustic cluster control is illustrated. It is also shown that the sound radiated from a planar structure may be captured in appropriate acoustic cluster filtering so that acoustic cluster control may be implemented. Experiment was conducted demonstrating the capability as well as the validity of the acoustic cluster filtering, actuation, and control for suppressing the noise radiated from a rectangular panel.     

Acoustic Vortex Beam Generation by a Piezoelectric Transducer Using Spiral Electrodes

We propose an innovative method to generate acoustic vortex waves based on a disc piezoelectric transducer that is coated with multi-arm coiled electrodes. Finite element simulation results for single-arm to four-arm coiled electrodes indicate that the method could modulate amplitude and phase spatial distribution of the acoustic waves near the acoustic axis by acoustic field synthesis principle, making the waves rotate spirally in space and form stable focused vortex beams. Compared with the traditional method that requires electronic control of an array consisting of a large number of transducers, this method provides a more effective and compact solution.     

Variable-radius focused optical vortex with suppressed sidelobes

We propose a design for a phase mask for generating an optical vortex with suppressed sidelobes in the focal plane where the radius of the intensity ring is variable. A radial modulation added to conventional phase mask exp(iltheta) projects the light diffracted from different annular zones into a single intensity ring in the focal plane.     

Optical tweezers for confocal microscopy

In confocal laser scanning microscopes (CLSMs), lasers can be used for image formation as well as tools for the manipulation of microscopic objects. In the latter case, in addition to the imaging lasers, the light of an extra laser has to be focused into the object plane of the CLSM, for example as optical tweezers. Imaging as well as trapping by optical tweezers can be done using the same objective lens. In this case, z-sectioning for 3D imaging shifts the optical tweezers with the focal plane of the objective along the optical axis, so that a trapped object remains positioned in the focal plane. Consequently, 3D imaging of trapped objects is impossible without further measures. We present an experimental set-up keeping the axial trapping position of the optical tweezers at its intended position whilst the focal plane can be axially shifted over a distance of about 15 μm. It is based on fast-moving correctional optics synchronized with the objective movement. First examples of application are the 3D imaging of chloroplasts of Elodea densa (Canadian waterweed) in a vigorous cytoplasmic streaming and the displacement of zymogen granules in pancreatic cancer cells (AR42 J). Received: 24 March 2000 / Revised version: 23 June 2000 / Published online: 11 October 2000     

4Pi focusing of spatially modulated radially polarized vortex beams

We propose a method for generating focal beams with special intensity distributions using radially polarized vortex beams in a 4Pi configuration. A spherical dark-hollow beam and hollow beam array can be obtained by vortex beams with topological charge of m=1. A dark channel can be generated using vortex beams with topological charge of m=2. The length of the well-defined hollow beam array and the dark channel is about 30λ. These interesting beams are useful in optical trapping and manipulation.     

Representation of the sound field of a turbulent vortex ring as a superposition of quadrupoles

Results of an experimental study of the directivity of noise produced by a turbulent vortex ring (Re≈10⁵) are presented. The acoustic measurements were performed in an anechoic chamber by a circular array of microphones with its center lying at the symmetry axis of the ring. A method of a synchronous processing of acoustic signals is proposed. This method allows one to separate different quadrupole components in the measured sound field of a turbulent vortex.     

Wideband focused transducer array for optoacoustic tomography

The calculation procedure of the parameters of a multielement transducer array for the optoacoustic tomography of biological objects with high spatial resolution values is proposed. A multielement transducer with given spatial resolution values in three dimensions has been developed based on the proposed procedure for the early detection of breast cancer. The transducer array consists of a set of 8 linear PVDF piezoelectric films located on a plane and a focusing cylindrical acoustic lens. A map of the transducer’s focal area and point spread function have been measured using the constructed transducer array. Spatial resolutions of the transducer array obtained experimentally are in agreement with their calculated values.     

A technique for the study of acoustic scattering from microparticles

A technique for observing acoustic scattering from individual particles with volumes on the order of 100 micron3 is described. The apparatus consists of an array of focused acoustic transducers, a fluid jet to position the particles, and electronics incorporating quadrature detection. A maximum likelihood estimator is developed for the scattering amplitude that combines the data received from a series of pulses as a particle is carried through the focal zone of the transducers. A calibration method and performance of the apparatus are discussed.     

Dynamic Optical Vortex Trajectory Guided by the Symmetric Pearcey Gaussian Vortex Beam in the Uniformly Moving Parabolic Potential

This paper analytically and numerically proposes the propagation dynamics of the symmetric Pearcey Gaussian vortex beam (SPGVB) in the uniformly moving parabolic potential. The optical vortex located in the initial plane produces a vortex channel in the presence of the uniformly moving parabolic potential, called the vortex trajectory. The vortex trajectory can be manipulated dynamically by configuring different combinations of the parameters, and the optical intensity and the focal position can also be affected. Moreover, the spatial dynamic vortex trajectory is derived analytically, and the 2D on-axis and off-axis vortex scenarios are also presented. Our work expands the methods of the vortex trajectory manipulation and may broaden more practical potential applications in the particle manipulation.     

Superresolution ultrasound imaging using back-projected reconstruction

An ultrasound technique for imaging objects significantly smaller than the source wavelength is investigated. Signals from a focused beam are recorded over an image plane in the acoustic farfield and backprojected in the wave-vector domain to the focal plane. A superresolution image recovery method is then used to analyze the Fourier spatial frequency spectrum of the signal in an attempt to deduce the location and size of objects in this plane. The physical foundation for the method is rooted in the fact that high spatial frequencies introduced by the object in fact affect the lower (nonevanescent) spatial frequencies of the overall signal. The technique achieves this by using a priori measurements of the ultrasound focus in water, which gives full spectral information about the image source. A guess is then made regarding the size and location of the object that distorted the field, and this is convolved with the a priori measurement, thus creating a candidate image. A large number of candidates are generated and the one whose spectrum best matches the uncorrected image is accepted. The method is demonstrated using 0.34- and 0.60-mm wires with a focused 1.05-MHz ultrasound signal and then a human hair (approximately 0.03 mm) with a 4.7-MHz signal.     

Detection limits for single small flaws and groups of flaws when using focussed ultrasonic transducers

The performance of ultrasonic imaging systems, using line-focussed transducers, was evaluated theoretically by employing a simple technique based on convolution. The analysis considered the response of single reflectors, which are mainly voids, and also multiple reflectors located both on a single plane and on multiple planes, which represent a porous layer or bond-line. The limits of detection for each of the above cases, in the presence of different levels of acoustic noise in the object under test were also calculated. The results presented are expressed as a function of a dimensionless flaw size, incorporating the ultrasonic frequency and beam F-number. The results can be used to identify the best match between ultrasonic equipment and a specific imaging problem. They can also serve to guide decisions regarding the most suitable detection method for use with the chosen equipment. If the inspection is properly designed, surprisingly small flaws could be reliably detected — even in objects where significant levels of incoherent acoustic noise are found. The method and results presented in this paper for line-focussed transducers fit qualitatively the case of spherically focussed transducers. The method is highly versatile and it can be extended to cover a range of problems, outside the scope of this paper, including, quantitatively, that of the spherically focussed transducer by employing a formulation which uses more computer time and memory.     

Acoustic rotational manipulation using orbital angular momentum transfer

We report on the first quantitative test of acoustic orbital angular momentum transfer to a sound absorbing object immersed in a viscous liquid. This is done by realizing an original experiment that is to spin a millimeter-size target disk using an ultrasonic vortex beam. We demonstrate the balance between the acoustic radiation torque calculated from the Brillouin stress tensor and the viscous torque evaluated from the steady state spinning frequency. Moreover, we unveil a rotational acoustic streaming phenomenon that results from the acoustic angular momentum transfer to the host fluid. We show that it lowers the viscous torque, thereby restoring the torque balance.