Know thy sound field

Abstract

Calibrated reference hydrophones like the Marconi bilaminar PVDF hydrophone are convenient in measuring pressures associated with high-intensity, low-megahertz acoustic fields used in microcavitation studies. These reference hydrophones are delicate and stand the risk of being easily ruined if cavitation occurs during their use. They are also expensive and not easily available. This article describes a method, based on radiation force balance, for characterizing an inexpensive, PZT-type needle probe which then can be used in lieu of the Marconi hydrophones. It is found that the method is accurate and precise and yields measurements in conformance with AIUM-NEMA standards. © 2005 Acoustical Society of America.