An ultrasonic multi-wave focusing and imaging method for linear phased arrays

To overcome the inherent limits of traditional single wave imaging for nondestructive testing,the multi-wave focusing and imaging method is thoroughly studied.This method makes the compressional waves and shear waves focused in both emission and reception processes,which strengthens the focusing energy and improves the signal-to-noise ratio of received signals.A numerical model is developed to study the characteristics of a multi-wave focusing field.It is shown that the element width approaching 0.8 wavelengths of shear waves can keep a balance between the radiation energy of two waves,which can achieve a desirable multi-wave focusing performance.And an experiment using different imaging methods for a linear phased array is performed.It can be concluded that due to the combination of the propagation and reflection characteristics of two waves,the multi-wave focusing and imaging method can significantly improve the imaging distinguishability of defects and expand the available sweeping range to a sector of-650 to 65°.     

固体中线性相控阵列的瞬态聚焦特性

针对线性相控阵列在固体介质中的声场聚焦特性及参数优化问题,该文给出了一个线性阵列的纵波瞬态聚焦声场模型.数值结果表明,当阵元被短时脉冲信号激励时,瞬态聚焦声场中不会形成栅瓣,突破了传统稳态理论模型中对阵元间距的限制;同时由于横纵波在聚焦区域内可完全分离,声束旁瓣的幅值也得到了抑制.其次,增大阵元间距能够显著提高聚焦性能...     

基于紧聚焦方式的阵列光束相干合成特性分析

为获得高功率、波长量级尺寸的聚焦光斑,提出利用紧聚焦方式实现阵列光束相干合成的新方案.通过建立阵列光束经紧聚焦方式相干合成的物理模型,分析了阵列光束的排布方式、偏振态、束宽、间距和紧聚焦系统数值孔径等参数对合成光束特性的影响及规律.结果表明,阵列光束经紧聚焦方式合束时,线偏振及圆偏振阵列光束均能获得较好的合成效果,径向偏振阵列光束次之,而角向偏振阵列光束则不能有效地合成.通过优化阵列光束的排布方式、束宽和间距,以及合理选择紧聚焦系统的数值孔径,能在保持较好光束质量和较高合成效率的前提下获得能量集中度高的焦斑.     

Ultrasonic focusing and scanning with multiple waves

This paper presents a new focusing and scanning method which focuses multiple waves on a target. The key of the method is to control excitation pulses for each element of the transducer array. The excitation pulse on each array element is obtained by time reversing the signal received by the same element, which is generated by an imaginary source at the target. The excitation pulses from all array elements are transmitted and arrive at the target simultaneously, and focusing is achieved. The performance of the two methods is compared in numerical examples, and it is demonstrated that the proposed method achieves a satisfactory focusing and a good signal-to-noise ratio no matter where the target location is.     

Experimental verification of subwavelength acoustic focusing using a near-field array of closely spaced elements

A linear array of closely spaced sound transducers is presented that can produce a subwavelength-focused intensity profile at a distance of a quarter wavelength. This work is related to research on super-resolution using metamaterials in both the acoustic and optical domains. It is designed using the principle of shifted beams, a near-field antenna array theory developed for the subwavelength focusing of electromagnetic waves. Once the spatial sound pattern is characterized for each source, the optimal weights for a minimum beam width can be calculated. An experiment operating at 4 kHz was able to successfully construct a super-focused beam.     

基于超声相控阵的环焊缝缺陷检测方法研究

针对传统超声探头焦距固定,检测位置的改变就要更换相应焦距的探头而影响检测效率的问题,提出一种基于超声相控阵换能器的环焊缝缺陷检测方法。而超声相控阵具有电子偏转和电子聚焦特性,能在不移动的情况下发射偏转聚焦超声束,有效地解决了上述问题。首先基于超声相控线阵换能器的声场特点,采用数值分析方法,研究了影响声束偏转聚焦性能的几个主要参数。然后给出了与超声相控阵换能器相连接的多通道数据采集系统结构。介绍了单通道声信号的硬件结构及相应的信号处理方法,实现了对换能器中单个阵元的精确延时的控制。实验结果表明,优化设计的超声相控线阵换能器具有较高的检测精度和检测效率。     

Ultrasonic guided wave focusing by a generalized phased array

Ultrasonic guided wave focusing by a generalized phased array is studied based on dispersion curves in a multi-layered medium. The different phase of the guided waves with different frequency is added on the excitation signal on each element of the transducer array for focusing. This can be realized by designing a proper excitation pulse based on the dispersion curves of the guided waves for each of the transducer array elements. The numerical simulation results show that the guided waves with different modes, different frequency components, and from different elements of the transducer array can all be focused at the target and focusing is achieved.     

一种稳健的恒定束宽波束形成方法

考虑到信号的方向信息存在误差时,宽带聚焦变换波束形成方法的稳健性会急剧下降,为了克服这种缺点,将稳健的二阶锥规划波束形成用于聚焦变换方法中,提出一种稳健宽带恒定束宽波束形成方法并将其应用于声呐探测。二阶锥规划波束形成是通过对阵列流形进行约束求解得到准确的权值,从而减少聚焦数据误差,避免估计畸变,得到恒定束宽,提高了聚焦变换恒定束宽波束形成器的性能。借助计算机对圆环形传感器阵列在宽频段内进行恒定束宽波束优化设计,并进行了实验研究,结果表明该方法对信号信息误差有很好的宽容性,能实现我们期望得到的恒定束宽波束图,能应用于实际的声呐探测中。并且比传统的二阶锥恒定束宽方法有更高的稳健性。      

Theoretical study of 2 X 2 element planar array of equilateral triangular patch microstrip antenna in plasma medium

The radiation properties of 2 X 2 element planar array of equilateral triangular patch microstrip antenna in plasma medium are studied. The array factor and far-zone EM-mode and P-mode radiation fields of the array geometry are derived using vector wave function techniques and pattern multiplication approaches. The total field patterns and various characteristics of pattern such as half power beam width (HPBW), first null beam width (FNBW) and direction of maximum radiation are computed for two different values of progressive phase excitation difference between the elements. The results of this array geometry are obtained both in plasma medium and in free space and compared with those of single element equilateral triangular patch microstrip antenna.     

三种半导体阵列光谱组束结构的输出特性

基于光谱光束组合技术,利用光栅的衍射和外腔的反馈,并通过加入光束整形系统,将标准的半导体激光阵列的发光单元锁定在窄线宽的不同波长上,以近似平行光束沿组合方向输出,以实现半导体激光阵列输出光束质量的改善和线宽的压窄。实验中采用发光单元宽度100μm,周期500μm,由19个单元构成的标准阵列,分别对快、慢轴准直后光谱组束、光束整形后光谱组束和线宽压窄外腔组束进行了实验验证,实现了组合光束与单个发光单元近似的光束质量,同时得到了较窄的线宽输出,并对实验结果进行了分析。     

Propagation of partially coherent partially phase-locked laser array in turbulent atmosphere

The mechanism for beam quality degradation in recently developed phase locking of high power solid state lasers, which is caused mainly by partially coherent property of element beam and partially phase locking of the laser array, is analyzed in detail. Analytical expression for propagation of partially coherent partially phase-locked laser array in turbulent atmosphere is obtained based on extended Huygens-Fresnel principle. The effect of coherence width, phase error and intensity of turbulence on the beam quality in the target-plane is studied in detail. The tolerance on phase error for laser array with different coherence property is analyzed. It is concluded that the laser array with better coherence is more sensitive to turbulence, and phase control can improve beam quality in the receiving plane only in the case when the element beam has good beam quality and propagates in weak turbulence.     

菲涅耳阵在固体中所产生的声束聚焦和扫描特性

用固体表面上的菲涅耳换能器阵实现固体中声束的聚焦和扫描,它具有实用意义。本文将分别运用标量和矢量理论,分析菲涅耳阵在固体中产生的声束特性。理论与实验结果进行了比较。最后,基于射频频谱分析的角度,对聚焦束的建立时间和加权技术进行了研讨。 关键词：     

经颅超声聚焦方法和声场特性研究

基于高分辨的CT数据建立了非均匀颅骨仿真模型,该模型引入了颅骨的声衰减系数,深入研究和分析了声波时间反转法和超声相控阵法在颅脑中的聚焦方法及效果。颅骨具有较强的声波衰减特性,使用时间反转聚焦时需要进行幅度补偿,对于0.7MHz的频率信号,幅度补偿后的时间反转聚焦声场主瓣宽度窄、旁瓣低,焦点处声场比无幅度补偿的时间反转法提高8.86dB,比超声相控阵聚焦法提高7.89dB,具有很好的空间聚焦精度和聚焦效率。研究了颅骨衰减系数、声场焦点位置、声波频率、换能器阵列位置和方位等参数对聚焦声场的影响,结果表明,幅度补偿时间反转法比相控阵法具有更低的旁瓣,且高频时的聚焦效果比相控阵好,相控阵聚焦对换能器阵列的位置和方位比较敏感,而时间反转经颅超声聚焦对声传播路径和入射角具有更高的鲁棒性。      

Negative refraction and imaging of acoustic waves in a two-dimensional square chiral lattice structure

The negative refraction behavior and imaging effect for acoustic waves in a kind of two-dimensional square chiral lattice structure are studied in this paper. The unit cell of the proposed structure consists of four zigzag arms connected through a thin circular ring at the central part. The relation of the symmetry of the unit cell and the negative refraction phenomenon is investigated. Using the finite element method, we calculate the band structures and the equi-frequency surfaces of the system, and confirm the frequency range where the negative refraction is present. Due to the rotational symmetry of the unit cell, a phase difference is induced to the waves propagating from a point source through the structure to the other side. The phase difference is related to the width of the structure and the frequency of the source, so we can get a tunable deviated imaging. This kind of phenomenon is also demonstrated by the numerical simulation of two Gaussian beams that are symmetrical about the interface normal with the same incident angle, and the different negative refractive indexes are presented. Based on this special performance, a double-functional mirror-symmetrical slab is proposed for realizing acoustic focusing and beam separation.     

多层奥氏体钢中超声相控阵辐射声场分析

针对一维线性超声相控阵透过楔块,在多层不同晶轴取向的奥氏体钢中的声场辐射问题,结合高斯声束等效点源模型以及基于时间最小原理的射线追踪法,给出了各层介质中透射声场的计算方法。将奥氏体钢近似为横向各向同性介质,计算了相控阵透过楔块,在晶轴取向为0°的奥氏体钢中的无延时纵波声场,计算结果与COMSOL仿真结果相吻合,从而验证了所用方法的正确性。通过加入不同的延迟法则,仿真计算了三层含有不同晶轴取向(0°,30°,100°)的奥氏体钢中的纵波声场,实现了相控阵声场的偏转与聚焦,分析了偏转声场与聚焦声场的传播特性。仿真结果表明,不同的晶轴取向将导致不同的声束偏转以及聚焦效果。通过延迟激励各阵元,虽然可以控制声束偏转或聚焦到预定位置,但是晶轴取向仍会对声束宽度以及幅值产生一定的影响。      

Counterpropagating pattern dynamics: From narrow to broad beams

The development of patterns in counterpropagating (CP) beams in saturable Kerr-like media is investigated in a numerical study, by varying the width of beams. A model of interacting mutually incoherent beams is adopted, with slow local changes in the index of refraction, and a numerical simulation of propagating beams is performed for different values of the driving parameters. Linear stability analysis (LSA) of CP beams is carried out, and a modulational instability threshold for the appearance of side beams is determined. The results of LSA, concerning the instability of plane waves, are compared with the numerical results concerning broad hyper-Gaussian beams whose width is varied. Qualitative agreement is found, due to the similarity between plane waves and flat-top hyper-Gaussian beam profiles. Owing to very slow quasi-steady-state changes in the system during time evolution, the transverse characteristics of beam distributions, determined by LSA, are found to persist for long in the transient evolution of CP beams.     

Efficient array beam forming by spatial filtering for ultrasound B-mode imaging

This paper proposes an efficient array beam-forming method using spatial matched filtering (SMF) for ultrasonic imaging. In the proposed method, ultrasonic waves are transmitted from an array subaperture with fixed transmit focus as in conventional array imaging. At receive, radio frequency echo signals from each receive channel are passed through a spatial matched filter that is constructed based on the system transmit-receive spatial impulse response. The filtered echo signals are then summed without time delays. The filter concentrates and spatially registers the echo energy from each element so that the pulse-echo impulse response of the summed output is focused with acceptably low side lobes. Analytical beam pattern analysis and simulation results using a linear array show that this spatial filtering method can improve lateral resolution and contrast-to-noise ratio as compared with conventional dynamic receive focusing (DRF) methods. Experimental results with a linear array are consistent but point out the need to address additional practical issues. Spatial filtering is equivalent to synthetic aperture methods that dynamically focus on both transmit and receive throughout the field of view. In one common example of phase aberrations, the SMF method was degraded to a degree comparable to conventional DRF methods.     

Phased array focusing with guided waves in a viscoelastic coated hollow cylinder

Guided wave phased array focusing has shown many advantages in long-range pipeline inspection, such as, longer inspection distance, greater wave penetration power and higher detection resolution. Viscoelastic coatings applied to a large percentage of pipes for protection purposes created some challenges in terms of focusing feasibility and inspection ability. Previous studies were all based on bare pipe models. In this work, guided wave phased array focusing in viscoelastic coated pipes is studied for the first time. Work was carried out with both numerical and experimental methods. A three-dimensional finite element model was developed for quantitatively and systematically modeling guided waves in pipes with different viscoelastic materials. A method of transforming measured coating properties to finite element method inputs was created in order to create a physically based model of guided waves in coated pipes. Guided wave focusing possibilities in viscoelastic coated pipes and the effects from coatings were comprehensively studied afterwards. A comparison of focusing and nonfocusing inspections was also studied quantitatively in coated pipe showing that focusing increased the wave energy and consequently the inspection ability tremendously. This study provides an important base line and guidance for guided wave propagation and focusing in a real field pipeline under various coating and environmental conditions.     

Stimulated Brillouin scattering of elliptical laser beam in collisionless plasma

This paper presents an investigation of self-focusing of elliptical laser beam in collisionless plasma and its effect on stimulated Brillouin scattering. The pump beam interacts with a pre-excited ion-acoustic wave leading to Brillouin back-scattered process. The transverse intensity gradient of a pump beam generates a ponderomotive force, which modifies the background plasma density profile in a direction transverse to pump beam axis. This modification in density effects the incident laser beam, ion-acoustic wave and back-scattered beam. Non-linear differential equations for the beam width parameters of pump laser beam, ion-acoustic wave and back-scattered beam are set up and solved numerically. It is observed from the analysis that the focusing of waves enhances the SBS back-reflectivity.     

界面条件下线型超声相控阵声场特性研究

开展了界面条件下线型超声相控阵声场特性的研究.将带有楔块的超声相控阵问题合理简化为液固界面的情况进行讨论.根据射线声学理论,计算了单阵元在液固界面存在时的辐射声场,进而推导了聚焦法则,得到了超声线型阵在液固界面存在时的声场、位移场表达式.对安装在楔块上的相控阵换能器的辐射声场进行了仿真,并讨论了聚焦对换能器轴向和横向声场的影响,结果表明利用聚焦能提高分辨率和灵敏度,但聚焦区域之外声束性能更差,在实际检测中要合理利用聚焦. 关键词： 超声相控阵 界面 声场 聚焦