This study is concerned with parametric radiation from an arbitrary axisymmetric planar source with a special focus on low-frequency difference-frequency fields. As a model equation accounting for nonlinearity, diffraction, and dissipation, the Westervelt equation is used. The difference-frequency-field patterns are calculated in the quasi-linear approximation by the method of successive approximations. A multi-layer integral for calculation of the acoustic field is reduced to a three-dimensional one by employing an approximate analytical description of the primary field with the use of a multi-Gaussian beam expansion. This integral is subsequently reduced in the paraxial approximation to a one-dimensional form which has previously been published in literature and which represents a means for fast calculations of secondary acoustic fields. The three-dimensional integral is calculated numerically and the numerical results predict nonzero amplitude of the low-frequency field in the vicinity of the source which is an effect that cannot be correctly encompassed in the paraxial approximation.

Within this paper, optimal shaping of acoustic resonators for the generation of high-amplitude standing waves through the use of evolutionary algorithms is discussed. The resonator shapes are described using sets of control points interconnected with cubic-splines. Positions of the control points are calculated by means of an evolutionary algorithm in order to maximize acoustic pressure amplitude at a given point of the resonator cavity. As an objective function for the optimization procedure, numerical solution of one-dimensional linear wave equation taking into account boundary-layer dissipation is used. Resonator shapes maximizing acoustic pressure amplitude are found in case of a piston, shaker, or loudspeaker driving. It is shown that the optimum resonator shapes depend on the method of driving. In all the cases, acoustic field attains higher amplitude in the optimized resonators than in simple-shaped non-optimized resonators of similar dimensions. Theoretical results are compared with experimental data in the case of a loudspeaker driving, good agreement of which is achieved.

This work presents a simple computational approach for the calculation of parametrically generated low-frequency sound fields. The Westervelt wave equation is employed as a model equation that accounts for the wave diffraction, attenuation, and nonlinearity. As it is known that the Westervelt equation captures the cumulative nonlinear effects correctly and not the local ones, an algebraic correction is proposed, which includes the local nonlinear effects in the solution of the Westervelt equation. This way, existing computational approaches for the Westervelt equation can be used even in situations where the generated acoustic field differs significantly from the plane progressive waves, such as in the near-field, and where the local effects manifest themselves strongly. The proposed approach is demonstrated and validated on an example of the parametric radiation from a baffled circular piston.