Ultrasonic absorption measurements with a millilitre short-path pulse cell

Abstract
A simple ultrasonic pulse cell with reduced variable pathlength for millilitre liquid samples (frequency range about 15-155 MHz) is described. The liquid cavity made from stainless steel has PTFE seals and gaskets and is resistant against many liquids. Attenuation and velocity measurements have been performed for H2O, CH3OH, C2H5OH and C2H5OC2H5 at 25 degrees C. The measurements, using a quartz effective diameter of 9 mm and pathlengths from 7-21 mm, show that diffraction correction terms are apparently not necessary.