Micro-manipulation of small particles by node position control of an ultrasonic standing wave

For the controlled positioning of small particles with ultrasound a standing wave in a fluid is used. The standing wave is implemented in a resonator, that consists of a fluid filled tube and two piezoelectric transducers on each end. A one-dimensional model of a piezo-device including the fluid-loading on one side and a backside support is introduced. This model allows the calculation of the transmitted wave as a function of the applied electric voltage and the incident wave. In addition, when an electrical impedance is connected to the piezo-device, the reflection coefficient can be varied in amplitude and phase, so that the parameters of the reflected wave can be controlled completely. The resonator itself, consisting of a piezo-device on each end and the fluid between, is included in the model. Several methods to shift the nodes of the standing wave in the resonator are investigated and the ability to position particles is discussed. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.