Generation of solitary acoustic impulses

The paper describes a method for generating extremely short airborne acoustic impulses. These impulses have a duration of only one period, similar to the well known solitons. For generating solitary acoustic impulses a narrowband acoustic transducer is needed. It should have a pronounced oscillation behaviour at the main eigenfrequency f(e). The transducer is supplied with an electric input signal, which is exactly adapted to the dynamic behaviour of the transducer. This specially formed signal has a limited duration of one period T=1/f(e). With the aid of a simple model the generation process can be explained. The theoretical results are experimentally verified and confirmed. Finally we point out on useful applications of airborne solitary acoustic impulses.