Acoustic levitation of multi-wavelength spherical bodies using transducer arrays of non-specialized geometries

• Recently, acoustic levitation of a wavelength-sized spherical object using a general-purpose ultrasonic transducer array was demonstrated. In this article, the possibility of extending the capabilities of such arrays to levitate multi-wavelength-sized objects is explored. The driving signals for the elements in the array are determined via numerical optimization of a physics-based cost function that includes components for trap stabilization. The cost function is balanced with an improved approach, mimicking dynamical de-weighting of the included components to avoid over-optimization of each individual component. Sound fields are designed and analyzed for levitation of objects with diameters up to 50 mm for various general-purpose simulated array configurations. For a 16 x 16 element transducer array, simulations predict levitation of spheres with diameters up to 20 mm (2.3 wavelengths), which is verified experimentally.

Subject headings

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Maskinteknik -- Rymd- och flygteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Mechanical Engineering -- Aerospace Engineering (hsv//eng)

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Maskinteknik -- Farkostteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Mechanical Engineering -- Vehicle Engineering (hsv//eng)

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Elektroteknik och elektronik -- Signalbehandling (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Information Engineering -- Signal Processing (hsv//eng)

Publication and Content Type

art (subject category)

ref (subject category)