Proposal for photoacoustic ultrasonic generator based on Tamm plasmon structures

TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel photoacoustic ultrasound generator using Tamm plasmon structures that achieve high-frequency ultrasound emission with efficient laser-to-sound conversion, optimized through modeling and design.

Contribution

It introduces a new Tamm plasmon-based structure for photoacoustic ultrasound generation, demonstrating high-frequency emission and efficient energy conversion.

Findings

Ultrasound frequencies up to 100 MHz achieved.

Linear growth of conversion efficiency with frequency.

Optimal structure design enhances ultrasound emission.

Abstract

The scheme of generation of ultrasound waves based on optically excited Tamm plasmon structures is proposed. It is shown that Tamm plasmon structures can provide total absorption of a laser pulse with arbitrary wavelength in a metallic layer providing the possibility of the use of an infrared semiconductor laser for the excitation of ultrasound waves. Laser pulse absorption, heat transfer and dynamical properties of the structure are modeled, and the optimal design of the structure is found. It is demonstrated that the Tamm plasmon-based photoacoustic generator can emit ultrasound waves in the frequency band up to 100 MHz with pre-defined frequency spectrum. Optical power to sound power conversion efficiency grows linearly with frequency of the laser modulation and excitation power.