Methods and devices for electromagnetically tuning acoustic media

摘要

An acoustic material can be electromagnetically tuned to produce alterations in its acoustical properties without physical contact. The acoustic material should contain a periodic structure and a medium that has acousto-elastical properties that can be altered through the application of electromagnetic radiation. Changes in volumetric properties such as density result in changes to the velocity at which sound passes through the material. The acoustic material can be a phononic crystal that undergoes a change in its acoustic bandgap after being subjected to electromagnetic radiation. This electromagnetic tuning ability results in the ability to change the acoustic properties of various phononic devices without physical contact.

主权项

1. An electromagnetically tunable acoustic material comprising:
a periodic structure; and a medium with acousto-elastical properties that can be altered by electromagnetic radiation, wherein the medium has a density, bulk modulus, or shear modulus that can be altered by electromagnetic radiation to cause a change in the acousto-elastical properties of the medium and affect acoustic dynamics of the medium.