Multiple scattering of an ultrasonic shock wave in bubbly media

This experimental study deals with the propagation of an ultrasonic shock wave in a random heterogeneous medium, constituted of identical 75μm radius bubbles, trapped in a yield-stress fluid. The fundamental frequency of the incident wave (in the MHz range) was much larger than the resonance frequency of bubbles (38kHz). A well-expanded coda, resulting from the multiple scattering of the incident shock wave through the heterogeneous medium, was experimentally measured in transmission. Despite the significant amplitude of the shock wave (90kPa), no sign of nonlinear response of the bubbles was detected. Both the coherent and incoherent fields were successfully described by linear theories. Using a shock wave presents the advantage of characterizing the medium over a large frequency range (1.5-15MHz).