Physical investigation of acoustic waves induced by the oscillation and collapse of the single bubble

The objective of this paper is to apply both experimental and numerical methods to investigate acoustic waves induced by the oscillation and collapse of a single bubble. In the experiments, the schlieren technique is used to capture the temporal evolution of the bubble shapes, and the corresponding acoustic waves. The results are presented for the single bubble generated by a low-voltage bubble generator in the free field of water. During the numerical simulations, a three-dimensional (3D) weakly compressible model is introduced to investigate the single bubble dynamics, including the generation and propagation of acoustic waves. The results show that (1) Compression wave, rarefaction wave and shock wave are generated during expansion stage, collapse stage and rebound stage of the bubble respectively. (2) Compression waves are induced by the rapid expansion of the bubble and eventually steepen into one shock wave propagating outward in the liquid, then another strong shock wave is emitted at the final collapse stage. The velocity and pressure of the liquid field increases after the shock wave. (3) Rarefaction waves are generated during the collapse stage due to the contraction of the bubble. The rarefaction wave reduces the liquid pressure and its spatial distribution is dispersive. The pressure of these acoustic waves and their effect on the liquid velocity attenuate with the increase of propagation distance.     

A suppressor to prevent direct wave-induced cavitation in shock wave therapy devices

Cavitation plays a varied but important role in lithotripsy. Cavitation facilitates stone comminution, but can also form an acoustic barrier that may shield stones from subsequent shock waves. In addition, cavitation damages tissue. Spark-gap lithotripters generate cavitation with both a direct and a focused wave. The direct wave propagates as a spherically diverging wave, arriving at the focus ahead of the focused shock wave. It can be modeled with the same waveform (but lower amplitude) as the focused wave. We show with both simulations and experiments that bubbles are forced to grow in response to the direct wave, and that these bubbles can still be large when the focused shock wave arrives. A baffle or "suppressor" that blocks the propagation of the direct wave is shown to significantly reduce the direct wave pressure amplitude, as well as direct wave-induced bubble growth. These results are applicable to spark-gap lithotripters and extracorporeal shock wave therapy devices, where cavitation from the direct wave may interfere with treatment. A simple direct-wave suppressor might therefore be used to improve the therapeutic efficacy of these devices.     

Numerical simulation of the nonlinear ultrasonic pressure wave propagation in a cavitating bubbly liquid inside a sonochemical reactor

We investigate the acoustic wave propagation in bubbly liquid inside a pilot sonochemical reactor which aims to produce antibacterial medical textile fabrics by coating the textile with ZnO or CuO nanoparticles. Computational models on acoustic propagation are developed in order to aid the design procedures. The acoustic pressure wave propagation in the sonoreactor is simulated by solving the Helmholtz equation using a meshless numerical method. The paper implements both the state-of-the-art linear model and a nonlinear wave propagation model recently introduced by Louisnard (2012), and presents a novel iterative solution procedure for the nonlinear propagation model which can be implemented using any numerical method and/or programming tool. Comparative results regarding both the linear and the nonlinear wave propagation are shown. Effects of bubble size distribution and bubble volume fraction on the acoustic wave propagation are discussed in detail. The simulations demonstrate that the nonlinear model successfully captures the realistic spatial distribution of the cavitation zones and the associated acoustic pressure amplitudes.     

水下等离子体声源的冲击波负压特性

基于修正的Rayleigh气泡脉动方程对水下等离子体声源放电产生的 强声冲击波的传播过程进行了分析; 利用Euler方程作为控制方程组, 建立了水下等离子体声源的聚束声场模型, 通过仿真计算获得的传播云图对冲击波负压的形成机理进行了直观的理论分析. 结果表明: 经过聚能反射罩反射汇聚得到的聚束波在反射稀疏波和水的惯性作用下, 聚束波周围水域产生了拉伸, 形成负压区, 如果拉伸力大于水的抗拉上限, 就会使得水中形成不连续现象, 即出现空化气泡; 此外聚能罩边缘处产生的衍射波进一步加剧了负压的产生, 边缘衍射波最终与拉伸波叠加, 使冲击波负压达到最大值; 通过对比仿真波形和实验波形, 从而验证和进一步揭示了冲击波负压的形成原因. 研究结果对认识水下冲击波的传播规律和进一步改进等离子体声源的设计具有指导意义. 关键词： 等离子体声源 冲击波负压 聚束声场模型 气泡     

A study of acoustic waves generated by the shock wave of an antihail gun

The processes of propagation of a shock wave generated by an antihail gun are analyzed. It is shown that a shock wave can reach an altitude of 100 km. The measurement results of the time dependence of variation in acoustic intensity and sound frequency for a vertically propagating shock wave are presented.     

Acoustic characteristics of pulse detonation engine with ellipsoidal reflector

Acoustic characteristics of a pulse detonation engine(PDE) with and without an ellipsoidal reflector are numerically and experimentally investigated. A two-dimensional(2 D) non-splitting unstructured triangular mesh Euler solver based on the space-time conservation element and solution element(CE/SE) method is employed to simulate the flow field of a PDE.The numerical results clearly demonstrate the external flow field of the PDE. The effect of an ellipsoidal reflector on the flow field characteristic near the PDE exit is investigated. The formation process of reflected shock wave and reflected jet shock are reported in detail. An acoustic measurement system is established for the PDE acoustic testing. The experimental results show that the ellipsoidal reflector changes the sound waveform and directivity of PDE sound. The reflected shock wave and reflected jet shock result in two more positive pressure peaks in the sound waveform. The ellipsoidal reflector changes the directivity of PDE sound from 20 to 0. It is found that the peak sound pressure level(PSPL) and overall sound pressure level(OASPL) each obtain an increment when the PDE is installed with a reflector. The maximum relative increase ratio of PSPL and OASPL are obtained at the focus point F2, whose values are 6.1% and 6.84% respectively. The results of the duration of the PDE sound indicate that the reflecting and focusing wave generated by the reflector result in the increment of A duration and B duration before and near focus point F2. Results show that the ellipsoidal reflector has a great influence on the acoustic characteristic of PDE sound. The research is helpful for understanding the influence of an ellipsoidal reflector on the formation and propagation process of PDE sound.     

Modeling of an electrohydraulic lithotripter with the KZK equation.

The acoustic pressure field of an electrohydraulic extracorporeal shock wave lithotripter is modeled with a nonlinear parabolic wave equation (the KZK equation). The model accounts for diffraction, nonlinearity, and thermoviscous absorption. A numerical algorithm for solving the KZK equation in the time domain is used to model sound propagation from the mouth of the ellipsoidal reflector of the lithotripter. Propagation within the reflector is modeled with geometrical acoustics. It is shown that nonlinear distortion within the ellipsoidal reflector can play an important role for certain parameters. Calculated waveforms are compared with waveforms measured in a clinical lithotripter and good agreement is found. It is shown that the spatial location of the maximum negative pressure occurs pre-focally which suggests that the strongest cavitation activity will also be in front of the focus. Propagation of shock waves from a lithotripter with a pressure release reflector is considered and because of nonlinear propagation the focal waveform is not the inverse of the rigid reflector. Results from propagation through tissue are presented; waveforms are similar to those predicted in water except that the higher absorption in the tissue decreases the peak amplitude and lengthens the rise time of the shock.     

Computed narrow-band time-reversing array retrofocusing in a dynamic shallow ocean

A time-reversing array (TRA) can retrofocus acoustic energy, in both time and space, to the original sound-source location without any environmental information. This unique capability may be degraded in time-dependent or noisy acoustic environments, or when propagation losses are prevalent. In this paper, monochromatic propagation simulations (based on the parabolic equation code, RAM) are used to predict TRA retrofocusing performance in shallow-water sound channels having characteristics similar to those measured during the recent SWARM (shallow-water acoustics in a random medium) experiment. Results for the influence of source-array range, source depth, acoustic frequency, bottom absorption, internal wave strength, and round-trip time delay are presented. For a fixed channel geometry, higher frequencies, deeper sources, and lower bottom absorption improve TRA performance and allow retrofocusing at longer ranges. In a dynamic shallow-water channel containing a random superposition of linear internal waves, the size of the retrofocus is slightly decreased and sidelobes are suppressed compared to the static channel results. These improvements last for approximately 1 to 2 min for source-array ranges near 10 km at a frequency of 500 Hz. For longer time delays, the internal waves cause significant TRA retrofocus amplitude decay, and the decay rate increases with increasing internal wave activity and acoustic frequency.     

水下强声波脉冲负压的产生和空化气泡运动

首先利用高速摄影和压力传感器测量的方法, 对曲面反射式水下强声波脉冲的传播和聚焦过程进行了实验研究.实验研究发现, 椭球面反射罩在起到汇聚声能的作用的同时也将使得强声波脉冲在传播过程中形成负压区, 并由此而引发近场声传播通道上空化气泡群的产生. 在实验结果的基础上, 进一步利用基于Kirchhoff衍射定理的声传播模型和大振幅条件下的QX气泡运动方程, 对强声波脉冲负压区的形成原因及空化气泡的运动过程进行了数值计算和分析. 研究结果表明, 在焦前区, 源于反射罩内表面的"尾波"和出口处的"边缘波"在传播过程中将形成反射波中的负压区; 在焦后区, 源于反射罩顶点的"中心波"在传播过程中将形成反射波中的负压区. 在反射波作用下, 空化气泡体现出了"正压区受压缩并振荡, 负压区膨胀"的运动特点. 在反射波之后, 空化气泡将出现成长、坍缩和回弹等典型的物理过程. 研究结果对曲面反射式水下强声波传播物理规律的认识具有实际意义.     

液体中激光等离子体冲击波波前传播特性研究及测试

将空气中球对称冲击波衰减波前传播公式推广到非完全中心对称情况，根据对光学阴影法对激光等离子体冲击波波前测试数据的计算分析，提出液体中点源激光等离子体冲击波旋转椭球面波前传播公式.并且用声学方法对水中和酒精中的激光等离子体冲击波波前进行实验测试，结果表明测试结果与计算公式相吻合. 关键词： 激光 等离子体冲击波 旋转椭球面     

Dispersion of acoustic waves in the plasma of a self-sustained gas discharge

The dispersion effects appearing during the propagation of acoustic waves through the plasma of a weakly ionized gas are studied. The main theoretical results are based on the equation of propagation of sound in the medium with the so-called Rayleigh energy release mechanism, which has been obtained earlier. Unlike the previous investigations, the problem of propagation of a perturbation from a source and not the problem of propagation of the initial perturbation is solved. In particular, the sources of an N-shaped shock wave and a wave in the form of a symmetrical step are analyzed in detail. It is shown that depending on the direction of wave propagation (along or across the electric field in a plasma), it degenerates either into a wave packet with a wave frequency lower than a certain frequency characterizing heating, or into a wave packet with a frequency higher than this value. In addition, a quantitative criterion is obtained, which makes it possible to estimate the plasma parameters for which it will be possible to observe the dispersion of acoustic waves in the plasma.     

Educational demonstration of a spherically propagating acoustic shock

Exploding gas-filled balloons are common chemistry demonstrations. They also provide an entertaining and educational means to experimentally verify nonlinear acoustical theory as described by the Earnshaw solution to the lossless Burgers equation and weak-shock theory. This article describes the theory, the demonstration, and the results of a propagation experiment carried out to provide typical results. Data analysis shows that an acetylene-oxygen balloon produces an acoustic shock whose evolution agrees well with weak-shock theory. On the other hand, the pressure wave generated by a hydrogen-oxygen balloon also propagates nonlinearly, but does not approach N-wave-like, weak-shock formation over the propagation distance. Overall, the experiment shows that popular demonstrations of chemical reactions can be extended from chemistry classrooms to a pedagogical tool for the student of advanced physical acoustics.     

Nonlinear propagation of spark-generated N-waves in air: modeling and measurements using acoustical and optical methods

The propagation of nonlinear spherically diverging N-waves in homogeneous air is studied experimentally and theoretically. A spark source is used to generate high amplitude (1.4 kPa) short duration (40 μs) N-waves; acoustic measurements are performed using microphones (3 mm diameter, 150 kHz bandwidth). Numerical modeling with the generalized Burgers equation is used to reveal the relative effects of acoustic nonlinearity, thermoviscous absorption, and oxygen and nitrogen relaxation on the wave propagation. The results of modeling are in a good agreement with the measurements in respect to the wave amplitude and duration. However, the measured rise time of the front shock is ten times longer than the calculated one, which is attributed to the limited bandwidth of the microphone. To better resolve the shock thickness, a focused shadowgraphy technique is used. The recorded optical shadowgrams are compared with shadow patterns predicted by geometrical optics and scalar diffraction model of light propagation. It is shown that the geometrical optics approximation results in overestimation of the shock rise time, while the diffraction model allows to correctly resolve the shock width. A combination of microphone measurements and focused optical shadowgraphy is therefore a reliable way of studying evolution of spark-generated shock waves in air.     

Direct visualization of laser-driven focusing shock waves

Direct real-time visualization and measurement of laser-driven shock generation, propagation, and 2D focusing in a sample are demonstrated. A substantial increase of the pressure at the convergence of the cylindrical acoustic shock front is observed experimentally and simulated numerically. Single-shot acquisitions using a streak camera reveal that at the convergence of the shock wave in water the supersonic speed reaches Mach 6, corresponding to the multiple gigapascal pressure range ～30 GPa.     

Elastic response of an acoustic coating on a rib-stiffened plate

This paper develops a three-dimensional analytical model of a fluid-loaded acoustic coating affixed to a rib-stiffened plate. The system is loaded by a plane wave that is harmonic both spatially and temporally. The model begins with Navier-Cauchy equations of motion for an elastic solid, which produces displacement fields that have unknown wave propagation coefficients. These are inserted into stress equations at the boundaries of the plate and the acoustic coating. These stress fields are coupled to the fluid field and the rib stiffeners with force balances. Manipulation of these equations develops an infinite number of indexed equations that are truncated and incorporated into a global matrix equation. This global matrix equation can be solved to determine the wave propagation coefficients. This produces analytical solutions to the systems’ displacements, stresses, and scattered pressure field. This model, unlike previously developed analytical models, has elastic behavior and thus incorporates higher order wave motion that makes it accurate at higher wavenumbers and frequencies. An example problem is investigated for three specific model results: (1) the dynamic response, (2) a sonar array embedded in the acoustic coating, and (3) the scattered pressure field. An expression for the high frequency limitation of the model is derived. It is shown that the ribs can have a significant impact on the structural acoustic response of the system.     

Characteristics and application of laser-generated acoustic shock waves in air

When a high-power laser beam is focused at a point, the air at the focal point is heated to temperatures of thousands of degrees within several nanoseconds and breaks down. This generates a spark that, in turn, is accompanied by an acoustic shock wave. The acoustic shock waves generated by focussing the beam from a pulsed laser with a 1064 nm wavelength and a power of 800 mJ per pulse have been measured using 1/4″ and 1/8″ B&K microphones. Nonlinear sound levels are observed up to 1.5 m from the laser-induced sparks. Beyond a certain region close to the source, levels are found to decrease in a manner consistent with spherical spreading plus nonlinear hydrodynamic losses. Analysis of the waveforms shows that the acoustic pulses associated with the laser-induced sparks are more repeatable and have higher intensity than those from an electrical spark source. Laser-generated acoustic shock waves are ideal for simulating a blast wave or a sonic boom in the laboratory and for studying the associated propagation effects. To illustrate this application, the propagation of the laser generated shock waves over a series of different hard, rough surfaces has been investigated. The results show the distinctive influences of ground roughness on the propagation of the shock wave.     

Spherical focusing of acoustic pulses in a liquid

Nonlinear processes accompanying the focusing of a microsecond acoustic pulse produced by an electromagnetic source shaped as a spherical segment are investigated. The processes are considered to be far from the boundaries of a liquid, in the absence of cavitation. Detailed measurements of the pressure field by a fiber-optic sensor and high-speed photography of the shock front are performed. The pressure field is found to be determined by the nonlinear effects that occur in the course of the propagation of the initial converging compression wave and an edge rarefaction wave. The peak pressure amplitudes at the focus are 75 and ?42 MPa for the compression and rarefaction waves, respectively, at the maximum voltage of the pulse generator in use. The measured length of the compression wave front is equal to the response time of the sensor (8 ns). The pressure amplitude is shown to be limited by the irregularity of the propagation of a shock wave in the form of Mach’s disk. At the focus, the pressure gradient across the radiator axis reaches 0.5 atm/μm, while the diameter of the focal spot is 2.5±0.2 mm. The focus of the edge rarefaction wave formed due to diffraction is located closer to the radiator than the focus of the compression wave, which may facilitate the study of the biological effect of cavitation independently of the shear motion of the medium.     

格子玻尔兹曼方法对不同张角聚焦声束的建模

高强度聚焦超声(HIFU)是一种新型的无创治疗肿瘤新技术,其中换能器声场数值计算能够为HIFU治疗提供重要的依据。传统非线性KZK和SBE模型广泛应用于换能器声场数值计算,但依然存在某些不足。我们采用一种介观尺度的新型流体力学方法,即格子Boltzmann方法(LBM),基于2维9离散速度(D2Q9)格子构建了轴对称多弛豫参数LBM模型,并通过调节弛豫参数分析其对模型的影响;利用该模型对两个具有不同张角的球面聚焦换能器的声场进行数值模拟,并与KZK和SBE模型的计算结果进行比较。结果表明LBM模型能够很好地描述超声波的激发和传播机制,从流体力学的角度描述聚焦声场的分布,具有清晰的物理意义,且计算过程不受换能器张角的限制,在换能器声场的理论分析和模拟计算及其在HIFU治疗中的应用有着积极的意义。      

Increase in the efficiency of the shear wave generation in gelatin due to the nonlinear absorption of a focused ultrasonic beam

Experimental results and theoretical estimates are presented to demonstrate the prospects of using the acoustic nonlinearity of a gel-like medium for increasing the efficiency of the shear wave generation in it by a pulsed ultrasonic beam. The experiment is based on the propagation of a focused beam of longitudinal acoustic waves at a frequency of 1.1 MHz in a gelatin sample and on the detection of shear waves by the optical method [1]. It is demonstrated that the amplitude of the shear wave excited by a nonlinear acoustic pulse can be increased by an order of magnitude owing to the formation of shock fronts in the profile of this pulse.     

Molecular dynamics study of thermal stress and heat propagation in tungsten under thermal shock

Using molecular dynamics （MD） simulation, we study the thermal shock behavior of tungsten （W）, which has been used for the plasma facing material （PFM） of tokamaks. The thermo-elastic stress wave, corresponding to the collective displacement of atoms, is analyzed with the Lagrangian atomic stress method, of which the reliability is also analyzed. The stress wave velocity corresponds to the speed of sound in the material, which is not dependent on the thermal shock energy. The peak pressure of a normal stress wave increases with the increase of thermal shock energy. We analyze the temperature evolution of the thermal shock region according to the Fourier transformation. It can be seen that the “obvious” velocity of heat propagation is less than the velocity of the stress wave; further, that the thermo-elastic stress wave may contribute little to the transport of kinetic energy. The heat propagation can be described properly by the heat conduction equation. These results may be useful for understanding the process of the thermal shock of tungsten.