Acoustic studies of gradient glasses

The results of investigation of the propagation of longitudinal ultrasonic waves in glasses with a regular volume distribution of elastic properties resulting in the narrowing of a beam of ultrasonic waves at the output of the sample are presented. Such glasses have not been used in acoustics previously. They were used by us for the creation of the first samples of inhomogeneous acoustic lenses. The results obtained in the investigation of inhomogeneous acoustic lenses based on specially developed inhomogeneous glasses and methods for their production are discussed. It is shown that the noticeable effect of focusing ultrasonic waves in the range 2–14 MHz is observed already for glass samples with dimensions 10–20 mm. Other possible applications of inhomogeneous acoustic lenses, for example, as a medium for ultrasonic delay lines and acousto-optical cells, are discussed.