Abstract

Experiments on a Three-Phase Medium with a Negative Parameter of Nonlinearity

D.H.Trivett, H.Pincon, P.H.Rogers (Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA , USA)

e-mail: david.trivet@me.gatech.edu; peter.rogers@me.gatech.edu

In most media, the small signal sound speed increases with increasing hydrostatic pressure. These media have positive nonlinear coefficients and the propagation of finite-amplitude signals, of sufficient amplitude, result in compressive shockwaves. We investigate a novel three-phase medium in which the small signal sound speed decreases with increasing hydrostatic pressure. The nonlinear coefficient is large and negative and the propagation of finite-amplitude signals can lead to the generation of rarefactive shockwaves. Both theoretical and experimental results, that show the phase of harmonic generation and the distortion of the waveform, are presented.

Section : 4