Wave-momentum shaping for moving objects in heterogeneous and dynamic media

Area of Science:

• Acoustic manipulation
• Wave-based object control
• Scattering media physics

Background:

• Optical and acoustic tweezers utilize wave momentum for object manipulation.
• Current methods require highly controlled, static environments, limiting applications.
• Disordered and dynamic media pose significant challenges for wave-based manipulation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To overcome limitations of current wave-based manipulation techniques.
• To demonstrate object manipulation in complex, dynamic scattering media.
• To enable precise control of object movement and rotation using tailored sound waves.

Main Methods:

• Iterative optimization of sound wave momentum in the far field.
• Real-time measurement of the scattering matrix.
• Utilizing a positional guide-star for feedback.

Main Results:

• Successfully manipulated and rotated objects in disordered and dynamic media.
• Method does not require prior knowledge of object properties or medium structure.
• Demonstrated optimal tailoring of sound momentum for effective control.

Conclusions:

• The developed method extends wave-based object manipulation to complex scattering environments.
• This technique offers new possibilities for biomedical applications, sensing, and manufacturing.
• Optimal momentum tailoring is key to achieving control in dynamic media.