Interaction dynamics of elastic waves with a complex nonlinear scatterer through the use of a time reversal mirror

This Letter reports on work performed to locate and interrogate a nonlinear scatterer in a linearly elastic medium through the use of a time reversal mirror in combination with nonlinear dynamics. Time reversal provides the means to spatially and temporally localize elastic energy on a scattering feature while the nonlinear dynamics spectrum allows one to determine whether the scatterer is nonlinear (e.g., mechanical damage). Here elastic waves are measured in a solid and processed to extract the nonlinear elastic response. The processed elastic signals are then time reversed, rebroadcast, and found to focus on the nonlinear scatterer, thus defining a time-reversed nonlinear elastic wave spectroscopy process. Additionally, the focusing process illuminates the complexity of the nonlinear scatterer in both space and time, providing a means to image and investigate the origins and physical mechanisms of the nonlinear elastic response.     

Wave propagation in 2D elastic composites with partially debonded fibres by the null field approach

Time-harmonic plane wave propagation in a two-dimensional (2D) elastic matrix with partially debonded elastic fibres of nonclassical cross-section is investigated. The modified null field approach, taking into account the asymptotic behaviour of the solution at the interface crack-tips, is exploited to obtain the numerical results for a single scatterer. The effective medium approach based on Foldy's approximation is applied to estimate the average dynamic parameters of the composites containing randomly distributed partially debonded fibres of dilute concentration. Numerical results concern the longitudinal wave dispersion and attenuation owing to scattering by both randomly oriented and aligned fibres. The effects of the fibre shape, debonding (interface crack) size and direction of wave incidence on the effective P-wave velocity and attenuation coefficient are analysed.     

Using high-power lasers for detection of elastic photon-photon scattering

The properties of four-wave interaction via the nonlinear quantum vacuum is investigated. The effect of the quantum vacuum is to generate photons with new frequencies and wave vectors, due to elastic photon-photon scattering. An expression for the number of generated photons is derived, and using state-of-the-art laser data it is found that the number of photons can reach detectable levels. In particular, the prospect of using the high-repetition Astra Gemini system at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory is discussed. The problem of noise sources is reviewed, and it is found that the noise level can be reduced well below the signal level. Thus, detection of elastic photon-photon scattering may for the first time be achieved.     

Peculiarities of elastic scattering of intermediate-energy electrons related to their capture at quasi-stationary levels of an atom in a continuous spectrum

A theoretical model of electron scattering on an atom is constructed to study elastic atomic scattering of intermediate-energy electrons. The proposed model is based upon the combined Mensing potential with two spheres of atomic electrons, which admits analytical solutions of the radial Schröbinger equation. A procedure for matching the parameters of this scatterer to an approximate electrostatic potential of an atom in the form of a screened Coulomb potential has been determined. The screening radius of the latter potential has been calculated proceeding from the properties corresponding to the Thomas-Fermi method. A model of a scatterer determined according to the aforementioned procedure can be used to calculate the energy dependence of the cross section of elastic electron scattering on some atoms with s, p, and d shells representing elements neighboring zirconium. The main result is the establishment of factors responsible for the appearance of maxima on the energy dependences of the cross section of elastic electron scattering. These maxima are related to the resonant trapping of impinging electrons by quasi-stationary levels in a continuous spectrum.     

Time-domain numerical simulations of multiple scattering to extract elastic effective wavenumbers

Elastic wave propagation is studied in a heterogeneous two-dimensional medium consisting of an elastic matrix containing randomly distributed circular elastic inclusions. The aim of this study is to determine the effective wavenumbers when the incident wavelength is similar to the radius of the inclusions. A purely numerical methodology is presented, with which the limitations usually associated with low scatterer concentrations can be avoided. The elastodynamic equations are integrated by a fourth-order time-domain numerical scheme. An immersed interface method is used to accurately discretize the interfaces on a Cartesian grid. The effective field is extracted from the simulated data, and signal-processing tools are used to obtain the complex effective wavenumbers. The numerical reference solution thus obtained can be used to check the validity of multiple scattering analytical models. The method is applied to the case of concrete. A parametric study is performed on longitudinal and transverse incident plane waves at various scatterer concentrations. The phase velocities and attenuations determined numerically are compared with predictions obtained with multiple scattering models, such as the Independent Scattering Approximation model, the Waterman–Truell model, and the more recent Conoir–Norris model.     

Perturbation method for the second-order nonlinear effect of focused acoustic field around a scatterer in an ideal fluid

Two nonlinear models are proposed to investigate the focused acoustic waves that the nonlinear effects will be important inside the liquid around the scatterer. Firstly, the one dimensional solutions for the widely used Westervelt equation with different coordinates are obtained based on the perturbation method with the second order nonlinear terms. Then, by introducing the small parameter (Mach number), a dimensionless formulation and asymptotic perturbation expansion via the compressible potential flow theory is applied. This model permits the decoupling between the velocity potential and enthalpy to second order, with the first potential solutions satisfying the linear wave equation (Helmholtz equation), whereas the second order solutions are associated with the linear non-homogeneous equation. Based on the model, the local nonlinear effects of focused acoustic waves on certain volume are studied in which the findings may have important implications for bubble cavitation/initiation via focused ultrasound called HIFU (High Intensity Focused Ultrasound). The calculated results show that for the domain encompassing less than ten times the radius away from the center of the scatterer, the non-linear effect exerts a significant influence on the focused high intensity acoustic wave. Moreover, at the comparatively higher frequencies, for the model of spherical wave, a lower Mach number may result in stronger nonlinear effects.     

Time reversed elastic nonlinearity diagnostic applied to mock osseointegration monitoring applying two experimental models

This study broadens vibration-like techniques developed for osseointegration monitoring to the nonlinear field. The time reversed elastic nonlinearity diagnostic is applied to two mock models. The first one consists of tightening a dental implant at different torques in a mock cortical bone; the second one allows one to follow glue curing at the interface between a dental implant and a mock jaw. Energy is focused near the implant interface using the time reversal technique. Two nonlinear procedures termed pulse inversion and the scaling subtraction method, already used successfully in other fields such as contrast agents and material characterization, are employed. These two procedures are compared for both models. The results suggest that nonlinear elasticity can provide new information regarding the interface, complementary to the linear wave velocity and attenuation. The curing experiment exhibits an overall low nonlinear level due to the fact that the glue significantly damps elastic nonlinearity at the interface. In contrast, the torque experiment shows strong nonlinearities at the focus time. Consequently, a parallel analysis of these models, both only partially reflecting a real case, enables one to envisage future in vivo experiments.     

Nonlinear interaction of plane ultrasonic waves with an interface between rough surfaces in contact

A theoretical investigation of the nonlinear interaction between an acoustic plane wave and an interface formed by two rough, nonconforming surfaces in partial contact is presented. The macroscopic elastic properties of such a nonlinear interface are derived from micromechanical models accounting for the elastic interaction that is characteristic of spherical bodies in contact. These results are used to formulate set of boundary conditions for the acoustic field, which are to be enforced at the imperfect interface. The scattering problem is solved for plane wave incidence by using a simple perturbation approach and the harmonic balance method. Sample results are presented for arbitrary wave polarization and angle of incidence. The relative magnitude of the nonlinear signals and their potential use toward the nondestructive evaluation of imperfect interfaces are assessed. In particular, attention is drawn to the enhanced nonlinear response of an interface insonified by a shear vertical wave in the neighborhood of the longitudinal critical angle. The motivation for this investigation is provided by the need to develop nondestructive methods to detect and localize small, partially closed cracks in metals with coarse microstructures.     

Mesoscopic phase statistics of diffuse ultrasound in dynamic matter

Temporal fluctuations in the phase of waves transmitted through a dynamic, strongly scattering, mesoscopic sample are investigated using ultrasonic waves, and compared with theoretical predictions based on circular Gaussian statistics. The fundamental role of phase in diffusing acoustic wave spectroscopy is revealed, and phase statistics are also shown to provide a sensitive and accurate way to probe scatterer motions at both short and long time scales.     

Adaptive correction of a tightly focused, high-intensity laser beam by use of a third-harmonic signal generated at an interface

By using the third-harmonic signal generated at an air-dielectric interface, we demonstrate a novel way of correcting wavefront aberrations induced by high-numerical-aperture optics. The third harmonic is used as the input physical parameter of a genetic algorithm working in closed loop with a 37-actuator deformable mirror. This method is simple and reliable and can be used to correct aberrations of tightly focused beams, a regime where other methods have limitations. Improvement of the third-harmonic signal generated with an f/1.2 parabolic mirror by 1 order of magnitude is demonstrated.     

Measurement of shear elasticity and viscosity of rubberlike materials

The method and results of measuring the shear elastic modulus of a rubberlike polymer by the deformation of a plane elastic layer are described. For shear deformations not exceeding 0.5 of the layer thickness, the shear modulus is constant and its value is in agreement with the value determined by pressing a rigid ball against the polymer layer. For deformations exceeding 0.5 of the layer thickness, the stress-strain dependence becomes nonlinear. The coefficient of shear viscosity is determined from the shear wave form generated by focused ultrasound in a homogeneous polymer sample.     

Effect of interface/surface stress on the elastic wave band structure of two-dimensional phononic crystals

In the present Letter, the multiple scattering theory (MST) for calculating the elastic wave band structure of two-dimensional phononic crystals (PCs) is extended to include the interface/surface stress effect at the nanoscale. The interface/surface elasticity theory is employed to describe the nonclassical boundary conditions at the interface/surface and the elastic Mie scattering matrix embodying the interface/surface stress effect is derived. Using this extended MST, the authors investigate the interface/surface stress effect on the elastic wave band structure of two-dimensional PCs, which is demonstrated to be significant when the characteristic size reduces to nanometers.     

一种基于非线性光纤环镜开关特性的超短光孤子产生方法

提出了一种利用非线性光纤环镜的开关特性将连续波同时转化为亮孤子和暗孤子的新方法 ,即让连续波和另一波长的调制脉冲串共同耦合入光纤环镜 ,交叉相位调制使得一部分连续波被环镜透射 ,其余部分被反射 ;再让透射波和反射波分别在反常色散光纤和正常色散光纤中传输 ,自相位调制和群速度色散之间的相互作用使得透射波和反射波分别演化为亮、暗孤子。数值计算表明 ,该方法不仅可产生脉宽比调制脉冲窄、重复频率比调制脉冲高的亮孤子和暗孤子 ,而且几乎可将全部的连续波能量转化为孤子能量。     

Diagnostics of elastic properties of a planar interface between two rough media using surface acoustic waves

The results of experimental studies on the nonlinear elastic properties of a planar interface between two media are presented—an optically polished glass substrate and flat samples with different degrees of roughness. The nonlinear elastic properties of the interfaces between two media were investigated by the spectral method using surface acoustic waves (SAWs). The effect of external pressure applied to the interface on the efficiency of the generation of the second SAW harmonic was studied. Using the measured amplitudes of the first and second harmonics of the SAW that passes along the interface, the second-order nonlinear acoustic parameter was calculated as a function of the external pressure applied to the sample at a fixed amplitude of a probing wave. It was revealed that the nonlinear parameter of the SAW is a nonmonotonic function of the pressure at the boundary. The results were analyzed on the basis of an elastic contact nonlinearity, and it is concluded that these results can be used in nondestructive testing for roughness and waviness of surfaces of flat solids.     

Modeling the propagation of ultrasonic waves in the interface region between two bonded elements

An important task in nondestructive materials evaluation is the development of techniques to characterize the bond quality of adherent joints. Binding forces are nonlinear and cause a nonlinear modulation of transmitted and reflected ultrasonic waves. As a consequence, the higher harmonics generated by an insonified monochromatic wave give information about the adhesive bonds. The local binding forces in thin bonded interfaces can be obtained by the amplitudes of the ultrasonic waves of the insonified frequency and its higher harmonics as transmitted through the interface. Additional phase measurements may enable one to obtain the evaluation of the full hysteretic cycle of the interaction force. In order to gain a deeper understanding of the interface region and to improve the technique, numerical simulations of the ultrasonic wave propagation through specimens of two bonded elements can be used. A simple model based on the local interaction simulation approach (LISA) is described in this contribution, and a comparison between the results of the simulations and the experimental data is presented. Besides its intrinsic relevance for NDE, the problem considered in this paper may be very useful to analyze and test models for the simulation of ultrasonic wave propagation in nonclassical nonlinear mesoscopic elastic materials.     

非线性内波存在下的浅海远程混响模型

研究了浅海非线性内波对远程混响场的影响。通过分析非线性内波活动引起声源到海底散射元以及散射元到接收点之间的声传播变化,给出了非线性内波引起远程混响强度变化的表示,建立了非线性内波存在下的浅海远程混响模型,数值计算了非线性内波运动引起远程混响强度的变化。理论和数值计算表明,非线性内波的活动能够引起远程混响强度的变化,在某些情况下会导致远程混响强度增强。通过讨论非线性内波引声简正波的耦合效应,给出了其引起远程混响强度增强的原因。      

Acoustic Pulse Diffraction by a Sphere in a Planar Layered Waveguide with a Gradient Layer

Consideration of the vertical sound velocity profile is highly important for solving problems of sound propagation in waveguides and scattering problems. A pulsed echo signal reflected from a spherical scatterer in a waveguide is modeled for the case of a waveguide characterized by sound velocity increasing with depth. The simplest model of the medium is considered in which the scatterer, the source, and the receiver are positioned in a layer with constant sound velocity. Below this layer, the sound velocity increases with depth so that the square of refractive index varies according to linear law. The scattering coefficients for the sphere are calculated using the normal wave method. The number of normal waves forming the echo signal is determined by the preset directionality of the source. Modeling is performed in a frequency band of 70?90 kHz for distances between the scatterer and the transmitter-receiver within 500?1000 m. The transmitted signal has the form of a pulse with cosine envelope and central frequency of 80 kHz.     

Method for solving the problems of multiple scattering by several bodies in a homogeneous unbounded medium

A method is developed for solving problems of multiple scattering by an aggregate of bodies in a homogeneous unbounded medium. For this purpose, the problem on the multiple scattering produced by two bodies in the field of a plane wave is first considered under the assumption that the initial unperturbed scattering amplitudes of both scatterers are known. The solution is constructed by considering plane waves multiply rescattered by the scatterers. Integral equations are obtained that allow one to calculate the resulting scattering amplitude of each scatterer and the combined scattering amplitude of the system of two scatterers. It is shown that knowledge of the solution to this problem is sufficient to solve the problem on the scattering field of a system consisting of an arbitrary number of scatterers. Expressions for the scattering amplitude in the case of an arbitrary primary field are presented. The relationship between the integral equations describing the multiple scattering in a homogeneous space and the multiple scattering by a single scatterer located near an interface is demonstrated. Approximate expressions are given for calculating the scattering amplitude in the case of multiple scattering.     

Analysis of microstructural alterations of normal and pathological breast tissue in vivo using the AR cepstrum

The mean scatterer spacing is considered to be an important parameter for describing ultrasonic scattering and characterization of biological tissue. Autoregressive models are widely used in parametric techniques for spectral estimation. In this paper, we describe the results of a careful examination of the mean scatterer spacing parameter in normal and pathological breast tissues in vivo using the autoregressive cepstrum. Our experimental results carried out at 4.5 MHz using weakly focused pulse-echo single element transducer show that the mean scatterer spacing in normal breast tissues in vivo is 1.25+/-0.21 mm whereas in several pathological breast tissues, it is between 0.82+/-0.10 and 1.09+/-0.07 mm. These results indicate good correlation with microstructure of breast tissue characterization, and hence the AR cepstrum holds promise that it could be used as an effective method for signal analysis of ultrasonic scattering and characterization of breast tissues scatterers.     

液面位置对流-固交界面上伪瑞利波幅度影响的数值模拟

研究了流体半空间中存在气-液交界面并且其位置发生改变时,流-固交界面上伪瑞利波的传播特性和幅度响应特征。借助有限差分的方法,实现了对不同气-液交界面位置时振动方向垂直于流-固交界面的脉冲面源所激发表面波声场的数值模拟,分别讨论了气-液交界面自身的散射作用与伪瑞利波传播过程中的能量泄漏对伪瑞利波幅度的影响。数值模拟结果表明:气-液交界面自身对伪瑞利波的散射作用对伪瑞利波幅度仅有极微小的影响,而能量泄漏才是引起伪瑞利波衰减的决定性因素;随着气-液交界面位置的升高,脉冲伪瑞利波幅度呈指数规律下降,与此同时主频向低频偏移。所得研究结果可以发展为一种利用伪瑞利波幅度进行液位检测的可靠方法。