Programmable Acoustic Holography using Medium-Sound-Speed Modulation

Acoustic holography offers the ability to generate designed acoustic fields to manipulate microscale objects. However, the static nature or large aperture sizes of 3D printed acoustic holographic phase plates limits the ability to rapidly alter generated fields. In this work? a programmable acoustic holography approach is demonstrated by which multiple discrete or continuously variable acoustic targets can be created. Here, the holographic phase plate encodes multiple images, where the desired field is produced by modifying the sound speed of an intervening fluid media. Its flexibility is demonstrated in generating various acoustic patterns, including continuous line segments, discrete letters and numbers, using this method as a sound speed indicator and fluid identification tool. This programmable acoustic holography approach has the advantages of generating reconfigurable and designed acoustic fields, with broad potential in microfluidics, cell/tissue engineering, real-time sensing, and medical ultrasound.

Automated summary

Acoustic holography enables the generation of designed acoustic fields for manipulating microscale objects. However, the limitations of static 3D printed acoustic holographic phase plates or large aperture sizes prevent rapid alteration of the generated fields. In this study, a programmable acoustic holography approach is demonstrated, allowing for the creation of multiple discrete or continuously variable acoustic targets. By modifying the sound speed of an intervening fluid media, the desired acoustic fields can be produced. This approach has the advantages of flexibility in generating various acoustic patterns and has broad potential in areas such as microfluidics, cell/tissue engineering, real-time sensing, and medical ultrasound.