4C-4 A New Designed Schlieren System for the Visualization of Ultrasonic Pulsed Wave Fields with High Spatial and Temporal Resolution

Schlieren visualization of ultrasound wave fields is a well-known and proven application of acousto-optic interaction. In this paper the specifications and operation results of a new designed, inexpensive Schlieren optical system will be presented, which is capable of pulsed wave field visualization in a wide MHz frequency range. Results to be presented will include experiments using 2 MHz and 10 MHz single transducers as well as linear arrays of commercial medical scanners during their standard operation showing the detailed system beamforming characteristics. Furthermore, a 3D visualization of a focused 2 MHz ultrasound wave field is shown. The spatial and temporal resolution of the new designed Schlieren system are providing accurate visualization of ultrasonic wave field pattern with a frequency up to 10 MHz. The use of common optical and electronic components has contributed to an inexpensive realization of a compact system. In comparison with commercial Schlieren optical systems the proposed and developed system is rather simple and can be applied for design and testing of ultrasound transducers and arrays