An Ultrasonic Lens Design Based on Prefractal Structures
The improvement in focusing capabilities of a set of annular scatterers arranged in a fractal geometry is theoretically quantified in this work by means of the finite element method (FEM). Two different arrangements of rigid rings in water are used in the analysis. Thus, both a Fresnel ultrasonic lens and an arrangement of rigid rings based on Cantor prefractals are analyzed. Results show that the focusing capacity of the modified fractal lens is better than the Fresnel lens. This new lens is believed to have potential applications for ultrasonic imaging and medical ultrasound fields.
Analysis of Fresnel Zone Plates Focusing Dependence on Operating Frequency
[EN] The focusing properties of Fresnel Zone Plates (FZPs) against frequency are analyzed in this work. It is shown that the FZP focal length depends almost linearly on the operating frequency. Focal depth and focal distortion are also considered, establishing a limit on the frequency span at which the operating frequency can be shifted. An underwater FZP ultrasound focusing system is demonstrated, and experimental results agree with the theoretical analysis and simulations.
Interferences in Locally Resonant Sonic Metamaterials Formed from Helmholtz Resonators
[EN] The emergence of materials artificially designed to control the transmission of waves, generally called metamaterials, has been a hot topic in the field of acoustics for several years. The design of these metamaterials is usually carried out by overlapping different wave control mechanisms. An example of this trend is the so-called Locally Resonant Sonic Materials, being one of them the Phononic Crystals with a local resonant structure. These metamaterials are formed by sets of isolated resonators in such a way that the control of the waves is carried out by resonances and by the existence of Bragg bandgaps, which appear due to the ordered distribution of the resonators. Their use is b…
Pinhole Zone Plate Lens for Ultrasound Focusing
[EN] The focusing capabilities of a pinhole zone plate lens are presented and compared with those of a conventional Fresnel zone plate lens. The focusing properties are examined both experimentally and numerically. The results confirm that a pinhole zone plate lens can be an alternative to a Fresnel lens. A smooth filtering effect is created in pinhole zone plate lenses, giving rise to a reduction of the side lobes around the principal focus associated with the conventional Fresnel zone plate lens. The manufacturing technique of the pinhole zone plate lens allows the designing and constructing of lenses for different focal lengths quickly and economically and without the need to drill new p…