Designing single-beam multitrapping acoustical tweezers

TL;DR

This paper proposes and demonstrates through simulations a novel single-beam acoustical tweezer capable of trapping multiple microparticles simultaneously at different points using a focused ultrasound beam.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of multitrapping with a single ultrasound beam, expanding the capabilities of acoustical tweezers for microparticle manipulation.

Findings

Simulations confirm multitrapping at pre-focal zone

Device operates at 1 MHz in water medium

Potential for engineering advanced acoustic manipulation tools

Abstract

The concept of a single-beam acoustical tweezer device which can simultaneously trap microparticles at different points is proposed and demonstrated through computational simulations. The device employs an ultrasound beam produced by a circular focused transducer operating at 1 MHz in water medium. The ultrasound beam exerts a radiation force that may tweeze suspended microparticles in the medium. Simulations show that the acoustical tweezer can simultaneously trap microparticles in the pre-focal zone along the beam axis, i.e. between the transducer surface and its geometric focus. As acoustical tweezers are fast becoming a key instrument in microparticle handling, the development of acoustic multitrapping concept may turn into a useful tool in engineering these devices.