Prediction of ultrasonic field propagation through layered media using the extended angular spectrum method

The angular spectrum method is a powerful technique for modeling the propagation of acoustic fields. The technique can predict an acoustic pressure field distribution over a plane, based upon knowledge of the pressure field distribution at a parallel plane. Predictions in both the forward and backward propagation directions are possible. In addition to predicting the effects of diffraction, the model also includes the effects of attenuation, refraction, dispersion, phase distortion, and the effects of finite amplitude acoustic propagation. No other model currently exists which can predict the propagation of wideband acoustic fields produced by sources of arbitrary geometry including all of the above propagation effects. Prior investigations have focused on using backward propagation predictions to analyze the surface vibration patterns of acoustic radiators. In contrast, the current effort has placed particular emphasis on verifying the model in the forward propagation case. In this paper, both forward and backward predictions are presented which demonstrate the ability of the model to characterize a three-dimensional acoustic field based upon measurements at a single plane. Results are also presented which examine the ability of the extended model to predict acoustic propagation through media composed of stacked homogeneous layers. The model has immediate applications in the study of acoustic phenomena and in the field of acoustic transducer design. Additionally, significant progress has been made toward the ultimate goal of predicting the degradation of acoustic transducer performance due to propagation through inhomogeneous, nonlinear, tissue-like media.