Notes on the Acoustic Radiation Force

We give an outline of selected theoretical and experimental studies associated with the periodaverage action of an oscillating acoustic field (acoustic radiation force) on the medium and microparticles. The main attention is paid to two problems related to biomedical research. One is the generation of shear waves by ultrasonic beams in weakly compressible (rubber-like) media, particularly in soft biological tissues. The other is the dynamics of microparticles in acoustic resonators. Some other aspects of the problem, such as bubble dynamics and acoustic levitation, are briefly mentioned. Elements of the history of early studies are also included.