Ultrasonic diffraction grating spectroscopy and characterization of fluids and slurries

The ultrasonic diffraction grating is formed by machining triangular grooves, 300 microns apart, on a stainless steel surface. The grating surface is in contact with the liquid or slurry. The ultrasonic beam, traveling in the solid, strikes the back of the grating and produces a transmitted m=1 beam in the liquid. The angle of this beam in the liquid increases with decreasing frequency and the critical frequency FCR occurs when the angle is 90 degrees. At frequencies below FCR, this m=1 wave does not exist and its energy is shared with other types of waves. The signal of the reflected m=0 wave is observed and an increase is observed at FCR. This information yields the velocity of sound in the liquid and particle size.     

复杂流场的超声-激光测量原理研究

本文从复杂流场—旋涡场参量的超声—激光测试方法的需要出发,论述了超声波产生的声相位光栅对激光产生的偏转效应.并研制了适用于产生空气超声相位光栅的大功率高频超声换能器、位移灵敏接收器、数字相位差测定仪等设备,采用了超声发射的匹配技术等,从而获得了明显的空气超声-激光偏转效应,并且测定了两光束的偏转时间差.本文的结果为利用超声-激光的空气声光偏转效应测量空气旋涡流场参量提供了实验依据.     

非侵入式超声波浆料浓度测量技术研究*

设计了一种基于非侵入式超声波透射衰减法的浆料浓度测量系统,根据超声传播衰减原理,建立超声衰减值与浆料浓度之间的关系。实验中采用生物显微镜和激光粒度仪对颗粒标称粒径进行验证,采用中心频率为200 kHz的超声波换能器,利用一发一收模式对超声波在有机玻璃管内的浆料进行非侵入式测量并分析透射波信号,对体积百分浓度小于25%、不同粒径的石英砂浆料进行测量,通过拟合方法获得浆料温度、体积百分浓度与声衰减对应的关系,并据此构造浓度求解方程,通过现场实时在线测量并与取样结果进行对比验证方程的准确性,结果显示,本方法可有效测量浆料浓度。     

High-efficiency frequency-modulation non-redundant scanning of a light beam in a half space

It is shown that a large fraction of the energy of the impinging light beam on a parallel plate grating can be injected into only one transmitted order, which is not the zeroth transmitted order, when the incident angle of the beam and the refractive indices of the lossless dielectric bounding media satisfy the condition of total reflection. This signififies that non-redundant scanning of the radiation transmitted through the grafting can be obtained by varying the frequency of the incident radiation with little of the incident energy being scattered into the reflected orders.     

斜入射激光支持燃烧波时纵波声场的指向性

利用理论推导及实验验证的方法研究了激光倾斜入射支持燃烧波时纵波声场的指向性。根据激光超声的产生机理, 在喷溅物质垂直作用于工件表面的前提条件下, 推导了椭圆形声源作用时远场质点的法向位移。获得了纵波声场的指向性函数, 分析了影响纵波声场指向性的因素, 并进行了实验验证。利用功率密度低于爆轰波点燃阈值的激光烧蚀工件, 使用峰值频率为5 MHz压电探头接收纵波, 进而获得纵波声场的指向性实验数据, 结果表明, 实验数据与理论数据能够较好地进行吻合。在光斑短轴长度恒定时, 与激光垂直入射相比, 各倾斜入射角度下纵波声场的声束轴线指向均保持不变, 并且指向性图形随倾斜角度的增加而变得细窄, 纵波声场的能量也更加集中。     

Wideband high-frequency line-focus PVDF transducer for materials characterization

This paper presents the design, fabrication, operating characteristics and applications of a wideband, high-frequency, line-focus beam transducer we constructed using a 9 microm thick piezoelectric polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) film. This transducer possesses a focal length of 2.38 mm and an aperture angle of 84 degrees. The frequency spectrum of the signal measured at the focal point indicates that the transducer has a wide frequency response which extends from 10 MHz to over 100 MHz. When compensated for the frequency-dependent attenuation of the coupling medium, the operational frequency exceeds 150 MHz. The transducer can be operated in a time-resolved pulse mode or in a radio-frequency (rf) tone burst mode. An application of the transducer to determine the anisotropic elastic property of a silicon wafer is demonstrated. The phase velocities of surface acoustic waves (SAW) propagating along various directions on the (001) surface of cubic silicon are measured and compared to computed values.     

Ultrasonic measurement of gas flow using electrostatic transducers

Ultrasonic gas flowmeters typically use narrowband piezoelectric transducer arrangements for interrogating the flow of gas in a pipe. In this work, the suitability of broadband electrostatic transducers operating at frequencies of up to 1 MHz for ultrasonic measurement of gas flow has been investigated. The transit time method of ultrasonic gas flow measurement was adopted and experiments were carried out using a laboratory test rig capable of producing a range of gas flowrates up to 17.5 m/s. The test rig also allowed easy interchange of different prototype flowmetering sections. Times of flight of ultrasonic waves interrogating the gas flow were measured using separate send/receive electrostatic transducer arrangements. Two flowmeter configurations were considered. The first interrogated the flow at 45 degrees in contra-propagating upstream and downstream directions. The second consisted of an up-stream interrogation at 45 degrees to the gas flow and an interrogation made normal to the flow direction. k factors correlating the fluid velocity along the ultrasonic path with the mean fluid velocity in the pipe were calculated using experimental ultrasonic data and anemometer measurements. All transducer configurations were numerically modelled using the computational fluid dynamics software package FLOTRAN (ANSYS Inc.). Theoretical gas flow velocities for both transducer arrangements were subsequently compared with experimental values and found to be in excellent agreement. A flow-dependent frequency shift of the received ultrasonic signals was also observed simultaneously with the transit time measurement.     

Hybrid laser/broadband EMAT ultrasonic system for characterizing cracks in metals

Detection and characterization of defects in metal parts in industrial and commercial settings has typically been carried out by nondestructive ultrasonic inspection systems. Correct measurement of crack size is critical for lifetime prediction inspections. Normally, measurements are made based on far-field ultrasonic diffraction models and time-of-flight reflection signals making accurate measurements for parts less than approximately 25 mm in thickness impossible. In this work a hybrid noncontacting laser generation/broadband electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) detection system is used to characterize ideal cracks in aluminum in which the far-field condition for ultrasonic diffraction cannot be met. Time domain signals show that diffracted energy is measured in the geometrical shadow zone of the crack. Fourier transform methods are used to show that the frequency content of the diffracted signals is different than those from the waves that do not interact with the crack. Crack size measurements are made by using the frequency content of the ultrasonic signal rather than time-of-flight information.     

Ultrasonic pretreatment of corn slurry for saccharification: A comparison of batch and continuous systems

The effects of ultrasound on corn slurry saccharification yield and particle size distribution was studied in both batch and continuous-flow ultrasonic systems operating at a frequency of 20 kHz. Ground corn slurry (28% w/v) was prepared and sonicated in batches at various amplitudes (192–320 μm_{peak-to-peak (p–p)}) for 20 or 40 s using a catenoidal horn. Continuous flow experiments were conducted by pumping corn slurry at various flow rates (10–28 l/min) through an ultrasonic reactor at constant amplitude of 12 μm_p–p. The reactor was equipped with a donut shaped horn. After ultrasonic treatment, commercial alpha- and gluco-amylases (STARGEN^TM 001) were added to the samples, and liquefaction and saccharification proceeded for 3 h. The sonicated samples were found to yield 2–3 times more reducing sugars than unsonicated controls. Although the continuous flow treatments released less reducing sugar compared to the batch systems, the continuous flow process was more energy efficient. The reduction of particle size due to sonication was approximately proportional to the dissipated ultrasonic energy regardless of the type of system used. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images were also used to observe the disruption of corn particles after sonication. Overall, the study suggests that both batch and continuous ultrasonication enhanced saccharification yields and reduced the particle size of corn slurry. However, due to the large volume involve in full scale processes, an ultrasonic continuous system is recommended.     

On the steering of sound energy through a supercritical plate by a near-field transducer array

The ability to direct sound energy through the flexural vibrations of a submerged plate at various angles of incidence using a near-field transducer array is investigated. An alumina bar is placed in front of a one-dimensional, eight-element transducer array, between the array and the water. Operating in a receive mode, data were taken as a function of angle of incidence and compared to data taken without the presence of the alumina bar. The array was also operated in transmit mode and results were compared to corresponding receive mode data, showing that reciprocity holds. Results show that in fact sound energy can be steered through a plate, and that the measurement method used provides a convenient method of measuring the angular dependence of transmission through a plate, including measurements at frequencies above the plate's critical frequency. Experimental results of sound transmission versus angle of incidence of finite sized plates agree qualitatively with theoretical results from an analysis of the transmission through an unbounded flexible partition.     

Ultrasonic wave speed measurement using the time-delay profile of rf-backscattered signals

Conventional methods determine the ultrasonic wave speed by measuring the medium path length propagated by a pulsed wave and the corresponding time-of-flight. In this study, the wave speed is determined without the need of the path length. A transmitting transducer sends a pulsed wave into the medium (constant wave speed along the beam axis) and the backscattered signal is collected by a hydrophone placed at two distinct positions near the transmitted beam. The time-delay profile, between gated windows of the two rf-signals received by the hydrophone, is determined using a cross-correlation method. Also, a theoretical time-delay profile is determined considering the wave speed as a parameter. The measured wave speed is obtained upon minimization of the RMS error between theoretical and experimental time-delay profiles. A PZT conically focused transmitting transducer with center frequency of 3.3 MHz, focal depth of 20 mm and beam width (-6 dB) of 2 mm at the focus was used together with a PZT hydrophone, 0.8 mm in aperture. The method was applied to three phantoms (wave speed of 1220, 1501 and 1715 m/s) and, in vitro, to fresh bovine liver sample, immersed in a temperature-controlled water bath. The results vary within 3% of those obtained with a conventional method.     

超声光栅的原理与制作

超声光栅是一种特殊的光栅元件,它将声波对光波的作用联系了起来。超声光栅由超声信号发生器、频率计、调节器、换能器、液槽几部分组成,文章中介绍了超声光栅的原理与设计制作的方法。     

Diffraction testing of ultrasonically-produced phase gratings using a double beam illumination method

An optical far-field method is described for studying ultrasonically-produced phase gratings with very small phase variations. An ultrasonic grating is illuminated by two plane waves mutually inclined at an angle properly matched to the diffraction angle of the inspected grating. The expressions for the time-dependent irradiance in the far-field diffraction orders are derived. They enable the extraction of the Raman-Nath parameter of a progressive ultrasonic beam. The application of the technique to pulsed ultrasound beams is proposed.     

超短脉冲激光光束被局域体全息光栅衍射的性质分析

利用二维耦合波理论,分析了超短脉冲激光光束被完全重叠型的局域体全息光栅衍射的时空变化性质,给出了衍射和透射脉冲激光光束沿光栅出射边界的强度时空分布。以LiNbO3晶体为例,数值研究了衍射光脉冲强度沿光栅出射边界的分布和脉冲波形的变化及光栅的总衍射效率受光栅二维尺寸、入射角度、光栅折射率调制度及入射脉冲的脉冲时域半峰全宽等条件的影响而变化的情况。与一维体全息光栅对超短脉冲激光光束衍射的性质,及此光栅对连续光衍射的性质作比较,给出了合理选择光栅参量及入射条件以在光栅出射边界上得到总衍射效率较大且分布较均匀的衍射光脉冲的方法。     

Ultrasonic particle size fractionation in a moving air stream

Identification of bio-aerosol particles may be enhanced by size sorting before applying analytical techniques. In this paper, the use of ultrasonic acoustic radiation pressure to continuously size fractionate particles in a moving air stream is described. Separate particle-laden and clean air streams are introduced into a channel and merged under laminar flow conditions. An ultrasonic transducer, mounted flush to one wall of the channel, excites a standing ultrasonic wave perpendicular to the flow of the combined air stream. Acoustic radiation forces on the particles cause them to move transverse to the flow direction. Since the radiation force is dependent upon the particle size, larger particles move a greater transverse distance as they pass through the standing wave. The outlet flow is then separated into streams, each containing a range of particle sizes. Experiments were performed with air streams containing glass microspheres with a size distribution from 2-22 μm, using a centerline air stream velocity of approximately 20 cm/s. An electrostatic transducer operating at a nominal frequency of 50 kHz was used to drive an ultrasonic standing wave of 150 dB in pressure amplitude. The microsphere size distributions measured at the outlet were compared with the predictions of a theoretical model. Experiments and theory show reasonable correspondence. The theoretical model also indicates an optimal partitioning of the particle-laden and clean air inlet streams.     

Consequences of the Kramers-Kronig relations for light diffraction on thick gratings

Diffraction of monochromatic light on a grating leads to the attenuation of the transmitted beam of diffraction order zero. In the case of a thick grating the diffraction efficiency, and hence the effective attenuation coefficient, is a fast-varying function of the Bragg mismatch angle. According to Kramers-Kronig theory, the transmitted beam encounters a phase shift that also depends on the mismatch angle. This phase shift is measured for holographic gratings in a photoaddressable block copolymer and compared with analytical calculations.     

带楔块二维面阵列超声相控阵声场特性分析

开展了带楔块二维面阵脉冲超声相控阵辐射声场特性的研究。将安装在一定角度斜楔块上二维面阵相控阵换能器声场问题简化为液固界面情况进行讨论。以单阵元在液固平界面条件下的辐射声场为基础,推导了聚焦偏转法则,给出了带楔块二维面阵超声相控阵声场计算方法。以检测材料为钢板,安装在倾斜角为36°有机玻璃楔块上的频率为5 MHz、8×8二维面阵相控阵的辐射声场计算为例,分析了在不同偏转角和不同聚焦深度下检测材料中的辐射声场特性。计算结果表明该方法可有效的分析带楔块二维面阵超声相控阵声场特性并用于指导二维超声面阵角束探头的设计。      

基于矢量水听器的深海直达波区域声传播特性及其应用

对于深海近水面声源产生的声场, 处于较大深度处的接收器在一定水平距离范围内能接收到直达波. 2014年在某深海海域进行的水声考察实验中, 应用深度为140 m的拖曳声源发射实验信号, 布放在水下3146 m深处的矢量水听器成功地接收到了直达波信号. 本文应用射线理论, 分析了深海直达波区域声场的传播特性, 得出了水平振速与垂直振速的传播损失与声线到达接收点处的掠射角以及收发水平距离之间的关系. 在以上分析的基础上, 提出了一种利用水平振速与垂直振速的能量差估计声源距离的方法, 并结合2014年实验数据对实验中两条航线上8 km范围内的目标声源进行了测距, 测距结果与目标的GPS数据符合得较好.     

用于ICF驱动器的取样光栅的矢量分析与计算

 在ICF的终端光学聚焦系统中，采用取样光栅(BSG)将透射的三倍频光按一定比例送入能量计中进行能量诊断。本文采用精确耦合波矢量分析方法分析了衍射效率与光栅周期、刻槽深度、占空比等的关系，为光栅的实际制作提供了一些有意义的结果。     

On-Line Particle Size Analysis Using Ultrasonic Velocity Spectrometry

A new method is described for the determination of particle size distribution of slurries based on ultrasonic velocity spectrometry combined with gamma-ray transmission. This method shares the advantages of ultrasonic attenuation spectroscopy of being capable of analyzing highly concentrated samples without dilution. However the ultrasonic velocity method is better suited to fine particles of diameter from about 0.1 to 30 μm, a greater volume of slurry is analysed and therefore sampling errors are reduced, and precise theoretical models are readily available to permit the accurate determination of size distribution by inversion of ultrasonic velocity measurements. The method can also be used to accurately determine particle size cut points by linear correlation. Using either inversion or correlation methods, the accuracy of particle size information from ultrasonic velocity spectroscopy is significantly enhanced by the independent measurement of solids loading by gamma-ray transmission. In addition, larger sizes can be measured by combining the ultrasonic velocity method with ultrasonic attenuation measurements. The method has been tested in the laboratory on a wide variety of mineral and paint slurries. The method determined the size distribution of single component silica and alumina samples in water in agreement with laser diffraction measurements and the method successfully distinguished well and poorly dispersed TiO₂ suspensions. For composite samples the method discriminated separate TiO₂ and CaCO₃, components and determined their proportions to within 0.25% volume. In addition the method, in combination with ultrasonic attenuation measurements, determined the size fractions of iron ore slurries below 10 and 30 μm to within 1.3% and 1.0% relative respectively, when compared with laser diffraction measurement of particle size. The CSIRO is presently designing an industrial gauge which will be manufactured and installed in an industrial slurry stream in 1997.