Experimental and theoretical study of harmonic generation at contacting interface

The second harmonic generation behavior of a contacting interface has been evaluated experimentally and discussed theoretically in the light of a nonlinear interface model. Two aluminum blocks were mated together to constitute a contact interface and subjected to normal compressive loading. A 5 MHz longitudinal toneburst wave was sent to the interface in the normal direction and the transmitted wave was recorded, from which the fundamental and the second harmonic components were extracted. A nonlinearity parameter was obtained as the ratio of the second harmonic amplitude to the squared fundamental amplitude. From the measured contact pressure dependence of the transmitted fundamental amplitude, the linear and the second-order interfacial stiffness parameters were identified, which enabled the evaluation of the nonlinearity parameter based on the theoretical model. The theoretical contact pressure dependence of the nonlinearity parameter was found to be in good qualitative agreement with the experimental results.     

Computer simulation of acoustic nonlinear parameter tomography

I.IntroductionUltrasonicimaginghasbcenwide1yusedinthcfie1dofclinicaldiagnosis,becauseitcanvisualizethetissuetharacterizationandinternalstructureofbiologicalobjectsbyacousticwave.Usingconventionalultrasonicimagingtechnique,theimagesofacousticlinearparameterssuchassoundve1ocity,acousticimpedenccandattenuationcoefficientmaybeobtained.Thesehavebecometheeffectivemethodsofu1trasonicdiagnosis.How-ever,inordertoobscrvctheearlystageofcanccr,weintendtoobtainmoreaccurateandmorecompleteinformationaboutth…     

Intravascular ultrasound tissue harmonic imaging: a simulation study

Recently, the in vivo feasibility of tissue harmonic imaging (THI) with a mechanically-rotated intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) catheter was experimentally demonstrated. To isolate the second harmonic signal content, both pulse inversion (PI) and analog filtering were used. In the present paper, we report the development of a simulation tool to investigate nonlinear IVUS beams and the influence of rotation on the efficiency of PI signal processing. Nonlinear 20 MHz beams were simulated in a homogeneous tissue-mimicking medium, resulting in second harmonic pressure fields at 40 MHz. The acoustic response from tissue was simulated by summing radio-frequency (RF) pulse-echo responses from many point-scatterers. When the transducer was rotated with respect to the point-scatterers, the fundamental frequency suppression using PI degraded rapidly with increasing inter-pulse angles. The results of this study will aid in the optimization of harmonic IVUS imaging systems.     

Broadly wavelength- and pulse width-tunable high-repetition rate light pulses from soliton self-frequency shifting photonic crystal fiber integrated with a frequency doubling crystal

Soliton self-frequency shift (SSFS) in a photonic crystal fiber (PCF) pumped by a long-cavity mode-locked Cr:forsterite laser is integrated with second harmonic generation (SHG) in a nonlinear crystal to generate ultrashort light pulses tunable within the range of wavelengths from 680 to 1800?nm at a repetition rate of 20?MHz. The pulse width of the second harmonic output is tuned from 70 to 600?fs by varying the thickness of the nonlinear crystal, beam-focusing geometry, and the wavelength of the soliton PCF output. Wavelength-tunable pulses generated through a combination of SSFS and SHG are ideally suited for coherent Raman microspectroscopy at high repetition rates, as verified by experiments on synthetic diamond and polystyrene films.     

Excitation of polymer-shelled contrast agents with high-frequency ultrasound

Few experimental and complementary theoretical studies have investigated high-frequency (>20 MHz) nonlinear responses from polymer-shelled ultrasound contrast agents. Three polymer agents with different shell properties were examined for their single-bubble backscatter when excited with a 40 MHz tone burst. Higher-order harmonic responses were observed for the three agents; however, their occurrence was at least partly due to nonlinear propagation. Only one of the agents (1.1 microm mean diameter) showed a subharmonic response for longer excitations (approximately 10-15 cycles) and midlevel pressure excitations ( 2.5 MPa). Theoretical calculations of the backscattered spectrum revealed behavior similar to the experimental results in specific parameter regimes.     

Testing for inhomogeneity of the nonlinear parameter in an acoustic medium by ultrasonic phase conjugation

The principle of applying a selective phase conjugation of the second harmonic of a focused ultrasonic wave to diagnosing inhomogeneity of the nonlinear parameter in an acoustic medium is considered. A solution to the three-dimensional problem of harmonic generation by phase-conjugated waves in a nonlinear medium with a localized isoechogenous inclusion is obtained. The signal amplitudes detected by a transmitting-receiving transducer at the second and forth harmonics of a probe wave are calculated for varying position of the inclusion relative to the focus.     

高功率高重复频率多波长飞秒激光系统的研究

以大模场面积光子晶体光纤飞秒激光系统为基频光源,利用非线性频率上转换的方法,获得了高功率高重复频率多波长的飞秒激光脉冲.理论分析并实验验证了聚焦透镜的焦距对倍频光横向模场分布的影响,透镜焦距越长,模场质量越好.在基频光平均功率为218 W,脉冲宽度为110 fs,重复频率为50 MHz的条件下,经过二倍频、三倍频和四倍频获得波长分别为520,347和261 nm的飞秒激光,其平均功率分别达105,47和214 W.二倍频和三倍频的转换效率分别为482%和216%,二倍频到四倍频的转换效率为20 关键词： 超快光学 紫外飞秒激光 频率上转换 光子晶体光纤激光器     

Nonlinear Elastic Waves in a Solid Isotropic Wedge with Defects

The paper presents experimental data for linear and nonlinear elastic waves in an acute-angled wedge made of D16 isotropic polycrystalline alloy with defects. The localization of waves at the edge of the wedge has been studied using laser vibrometry. The velocities of wedge waves have been measured by a pulse method in the frequency range 0.25–1.50 MHz. Measurements have not revealed any dispersion. The second harmonic of the wedge waves has been found. The dependences of the velocity and amplitude of the second harmonic on the amplitude of the first harmonic have been studied. It is noted that nonlinear effects observed in wedge waves may be explained in terms of the Murnaghan classical five-constant theory of elasticity. They are attributed to a defect-induced structural nonlinearity present in the wedge.     

光学微腔中倍频光场演化和光谱特性

在考虑光学微腔中二阶和三阶非线性效应的情况下,引入了可同时描述腔内基频和倍频光场的演化过程的Lugiato-Lefeve方程,分析了SiN微腔中二次谐波的产生,并讨论了各参数对腔内基频和倍频光场的影响.理论分析结果表明,失谐参量为0时,稳定后的基频光场为平顶脉冲的形式,而倍频光场呈正弦分布;失谐参量增加,将导致腔内基频和倍频光功率在演化过程中出现振荡,且最终稳定的光功率变弱,稳定后的光场分布为周期性变化;失谐参量的值过大,会使得微腔光场处于混沌状态.抽运光强较弱时,腔内可形成稳定的光场分布;抽运光强较强时,会导致腔内色散以及非线性效应过强,最终稳定的光场仍然呈周期性变化,且抽运光功率越强,光功率的演化曲线振荡越强.此外,选取特定的微腔尺寸,微腔可工作于"图灵环"状态.理论分析结果对研究光学微腔中二次谐波的产生有重要意义.     

Low repetition rate of a mode locked Nd:YAG laser using quadratic polarization switching

We present the performances of a low repetition rate (4.5 MHz) mode locked Nd:YAG laser using a nonlinear polarization rotation effect in a type II crystal cut for second harmonic generation. We compared their performances in term of peak power, pulse duration and cavity losses with a standard resonator operating at high repetition rate (125 MHz). A gain of 10.8 and 7.3 was obtained on the energy per pulse and on the output peak power between the two lasers.     

A simulation study on tissue harmonic imaging with a single-element intravascular ultrasound catheter

Recently, in vivo feasibility of tissue harmonic imaging with a mechanically rotated intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) catheter was experimentally demonstrated. To isolate the second harmonic signal content, a combination of pulse inversion and analog filtering was used. In this paper the development of a simulation tool to investigate nonlinear IVUS beams is reported, and the influence of transducer rotation and axial catheter-to-tissue motion on the efficiency of PI signal processing is evaluated. Nonlinear beams were simulated in homogeneous tissue-mimicking media at a transmit frequency of 20 MHz, which resulted in second harmonic pressure fields at 40 MHz. The competing effects of averaging and decorrelation between neighboring rf lines on the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) were studied for a single point scatterer. An optimal SNR was achieved when lines were combined over 3 degrees - 3.75 degrees. When the transducer was rotated with respect to point scatterers, simulating the acoustic response of tissue, the fundamental frequency suppression using PI degraded rapidly with increasing interpulse angles. The effect of axial catheter-to-tissue motion on the efficiency of pulse inversion seemed to be of less influence for realistic motion values. The results of this study will aid in the optimization of harmonic IVUS imaging systems.     

铁电晶体畴壁增强非线性性质的研究

通过研究畴壁切伦科夫倍频,发现畴壁存在巨大增强的非线性系数.由此造成的畴壁“定域性”使其可以对非线性极化波产生相速度调制,进而影响切伦科夫倍频.提出并证实了极限切伦科夫倍频的存在,并分析了它和准相位匹配倍频产生的区别.     

Acoustic nonlinearity parameter tomography for biological tissues via parametric array from a circular piston source--theoretical analysis and computer simulations

The acoustic nonlinearity parameter B/A describes the nonlinear features of a medium and may become a novel parameter for ultrasonic tissue characterization. This paper presents a theoretical analysis for acoustic nonlinear parameter tomography via a parametric array. As two primary waves of different frequencies are radiated simultaneously from a circular piston source, a secondary wave at the difference frequency is generated due to the nonlinear interaction of the primary waves. The axial and radial distributions of sound pressure amplitude for the generated difference frequency wave in the near field are calculated by a superposition of Gaussian beams. The calculated results indicated that the difference frequency component of the parametric array grows linearly with distance from the piston source. It therefore provides a better source to do the acoustic nonlinearity parameter tomography because the fundamental and second harmonic signals both have a near field that goes through many oscillations due to diffraction. By using a finite-amplitude insert substitution method and a filtered convolution algorithm, a computer simulation for B/A tomography from the calculated sound pressure of the difference frequency wave is studied. For biological tissues, the sound attenuation is considered and compensated in the image reconstruction. Nonlinear parameter computed tomography (CT) images for several biological sample models are obtained with quite good quality in this study.     

Nonlinear acoustic properties of the B95 aluminum alloy and the B95/nanodiamond composite

Research results for the nonlinear acoustic properties of the B95 polycrystalline aluminum alloy and the B95/nanodiamond composite have been described. The nonlinear properties of the alloys have been studied by the spectral method that measures the efficiency of generation of the second harmonic of a bulk acoustic wave at a frequency of 2f = 10 MHz in the field of a finite-amplitude longitudinal acoustic wave at a frequency of f = 5 MHz. The results derived by this method have been compared with the results of studies of the nonlinear acoustic properties of the test alloys using the Thurston–Brugger quasi-static method.     

Second harmonic generation of a self-focused Hermite-Gaussian laser in plasma

Second harmonic generation (SHG) using intense Hermite-Gaussian laser beam (HGLB) propagating through the plasma for mode-indices m = 0 and m = 1 is reported in the present work. Ponderomotive force induced density perturbation beats with the oscillatory velocity of electrons at incident laser frequency, generate the second harmonic nonlinear current that give rise to SHG. Using paraxial approximations, we have derived the coupled equations for the beam width parameter of HGLB and second harmonic's normalized amplitude. Resonance condition is obtained by considering wiggler magnetic field which providing an extra momentum to the second harmonic photon and this result a significant increase in the amplitude of SHG. Our analysis shows the prominent rise in normalized amplitude of second harmonic on increasing the value of the intensity of fundamental laser pulse, normalized wiggler magnetic field and normalized density of plasma. It is notified that the gain of SHG is more prominent for m = 1. Dependency of laser and plasma parameters on SHG is also reported in the current work.     

Acoustic properties of organic powders as ultrasonic contrast agents

The results of experiments on measuring attenuation and the effective acoustic nonlinear parameter of the second order are given for a suspension of cocoa-powder in water at different concentrations of the suspension. In the process of evaluating the value of the nonlinear parameter the attenuation in the suspension and generation of the second harmonic not only in the suspension but also in water are taken into account. The obtained results are evidence of the possibility of using a suspension of cocoa-powder in water as a technical substitute for ultrasonic contrast agents. The values of attenuation (up to 60 m⁻¹ at the concentration of 1 g of the powder per 1 l of water) and the nonlinear parameter (up to 120 m⁻¹ at the same concentration) mean that the suspension of cocoa-powder in water has smaller attenuation and the nonlinear parameter than ultrasonic contrast agents at the same concentration. However, these values for the suspension differ considerably from corresponding values for water or blood and, therefore, a suspension of cocoa-powder in water is a promising “substitute” for ultrasonic contrast agents in the case of technical testing of systems for nonlinear tomography of a blood flow, but cannot replace them in medical studies.     

具有宽阻带特性的6阶自均衡高温超导滤波器

本文提出了一种新颖的L型阶跃阻抗谐振器,该谐振器具有结构紧凑、抑制二次谐波能力强及易于实现电耦合及磁耦合等特点。使用该谐振器设计并制作了一款具有小型化、高选择性及宽阻带特性的6阶自均衡高温超导滤波器。测试结果表明,在70 K温度下滤波器的中心频率为1 601 MHz,3 dB带宽为24 MHz,带内回波损耗<14.87 dB,带内最大插入损耗约为0.22 dB,60%带宽范围内群时延起伏<3.13 ns,通带两侧具有一对深度的传输零点,实现了1 632~5 511 MHz范围内衰减>60 dB的宽平坦阻带。     

Air-coupled detection of nonlinear Rayleigh surface waves to assess material nonlinearity

This research presents a new technique for nonlinear Rayleigh surface wave measurements that uses a non-contact, air-coupled ultrasonic transducer; this receiver is less dependent on surface conditions than laser-based detection, and is much more accurate and efficient than detection with a contact wedge transducer. A viable experimental setup is presented that enables the robust, non-contact measurement of nonlinear Rayleigh surface waves over a range of propagation distances. The relative nonlinearity parameter is obtained as the slope of the normalized second harmonic amplitudes plotted versus propagation distance. This experimental setup is then used to assess the relative nonlinearity parameters of two aluminum alloy specimens (Al 2024-T351 and Al 7075-T651). These results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed technique – the average standard deviation of the normalized second harmonic amplitudes, measured at locations along the propagation path, is below 2%. Experimental validation is provided by a comparison of the ratio of the measured nonlinearity parameters of these specimens with ratios from the absolute nonlinearity parameters for the same materials measured by capacitive detection of nonlinear longitudinal waves.     

Transducer profile effect on the second harmonic level

The measurement of nonlinear parameter of the propagating medium using finite amplitude techniques is based on the detection of the second harmonic generated nonlinearly in the investigated medium. This method requires an analytical expression for the second harmonic. Analytical expressions have been derived for the Gaussian source. For other shapes than Gaussian, a set of Gaussian beams can be used to approximate the pressure distribution at the source. Gaussian coefficients, in the literature, are provided for a uniform source. However, the sources used in many applications radiate non-uniformly because of the manner the piezoelectric element is fixed and because of Lamb waves generated in transducer’s active element. This is of a great importance to derive an analytical expression for the second harmonic for different profile “excitation” of the transducer. Our model is based on the quasilinear theory and a set of Gaussian beams. We used the K-Prony method in order to compute the Gaussian coefficients for each of the uniform, exponential, elliptic and Bessel sources. Using the obtained Gaussian coefficients we showed that the second harmonic magnitude is varying respectively to the used source’s profile. For the measurement of the nonlinear parameter one needs to compute the appropriate values of the Gaussian parameters according to the profile of the used source. One can also use the Gaussian parameters for the uniform source with a correction.     

用于钙原子光频标的半导体倍频激光器及荧光谱

利用BIBO(BiB3O6)晶体的倍频效应,由半导体激光器产生的波长为846 nm激光可以获得波长为423 nm的蓝光。真空室内的钙炉在加热到600 ℃时产生钙原子束。将423 nm激光垂直照射到钙原子束上,用光电探测器可以获得钙原子束的荧光谱,谱线的半峰全宽(FWHM)为100 MHz。