Localized transmission of acoustic beam energy

The theory and experiments used to measure a new type of finite beam pulse, the localized wave pulse, are described. Recent experiments have shown that it is possible to create a pulsed beam of acoustic energy which maintains amplitude and beam width better than either conventional single-frequency or wideband beams of comparable frequency content. Work done on the design and generation of these localized wave transport beams is described. The experimental techniques to date have included acoustooptics, two-transducer linear superposition, and arrays composed of individually addressable elements. The beam width, amplitude, and frequency spectra of the localized beams are compared to those of both single-frequency tone burst piston beams and wideband Gaussian beams. An overview of the theory is given, and proposed applications are discussed