Vortex dynamics investigation using an acoustic technique

Abstract

A new acoustic technique using the double time-reversal mirrors system and based on geometrical acoustics, is used to study a vortical flow. The interaction between the sound and a vortex is described in details. This technique has been applied to the study of a stretched vortex. This vortex is generated by stretching the vorticity of a boundary layer in a low velocity water channel. It is shown that the velocity field can be reconstructed from the phase distortion of an ultrasonic wave. The technique gives access to a complete characterization of the vortex dynamics, such as the temporal evolution of its size, its circulation and its position.