Strongly coupled phononic crystals resonator with high energy density for acoustic enhancement and directional sensing

The detection and localization of acoustic signals play a vital role in many areas, such as structural health monitoring, gas pipeline leakage detection and underwater acoustic communication. However, the realization of both high-sensitivity and high-directivity acoustic systems at the same time remains a slippery subject. Besides, the detection limit, namely the detection capability of minimal detectable pressure, of sensitivity and directivity still hinders the performance of ordinary acoustic sensors where weak signals or low signal to noise ratios (SNRs) exist. Here, we propose a structure that couples phononic crystal (PC) point defects with four-sided Helmholtz resonators (HRs) to realize acoustic enhancement and directional sensing simultaneously in a high energy density cavity. The proposed coupled PC resonator (CPCR) shows a much better acoustic enhancement performance than PC point defects or four-sided HRs individually. Meanwhile, the remarkable directional response of the CPCR ensures the success in directional sensing. Furthermore, both in numerical and experimental studies, we demonstrate that the CPCR can be regarded as an acoustic device or sensor to detect harmonic signals and Gaussian pulse signals effectively. This work breaks through the detection limit of conventional acoustic sensing systems and provides a new routine for the development of coupled acoustic sensing devices that are highly desirable in practical engineering applications.

Automated summary

The detection and localization of acoustic signals are important in many areas, but achieving both high sensitivity and high directivity in an acoustic system remains a challenge. This study proposes a structure that combines phononic crystal point defects with four-sided Helmholtz resonators to enhance acoustics and enable directional sensing. The proposed structure surpasses the detection limit of conventional acoustic sensing systems and provides a new method for developing coupled acoustic sensing devices.