Schlieren visualization of ultrasonic wave fields with high spatial resolution

The visualization of ultrasonic wave fields in optically transparent liquids using the acousto-optic interaction is a well proven tool for the experimental investigation of wave propagation including wave field interaction effects with certain discontinuities and obstacles like reflection, refraction, and diffraction effects as well as for transducer testing and design. For high resolution visualization of wave fields including pulsed waveforms, pulsed light sources and sensitive optical imaging sensors with certain specifications are needed. In this paper the technical requirements of optical and electronic components for high resolution visualization of ultrasound wave fields will be presented. Also, specifications and operation results of a new designed, inexpensive Schlieren optical system will be presented, which is capable of pulsed wave field visualization in the MHz frequency range. The spatial resolution is high enough, not only for accurate beam shape and wave pattern visualization, but also for a gray-scaled display of wave amplitudes including amplitude zero crossings in ultrasound pulses. Consequently, ultrasonic wavelengths can be visualized quantitatively as well as wavelength changes of the ultrasound pulses while traveling through transparent media with different sound velocities. Results to be presented will include 2 MHz and 10 MHz experiments using single transducers as well as linear arrays of commercial medical scanners during their standard operation showing the system beamforming characteristics.