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This project is concerned with the development of software to invert seismic reflection data for acoustic impedance, with application to the YY-reservoir area in Gialo Field, Sirte Basin. The problem was that of inverting post-stack seismic reflection data from two seismic lines into impedance profiles. The main input to the inversion process is an initial guess, or initial earth model, of the impedance profile defined in terms of parameters. These parameters describe the impedance and the geometry of the number of layers that constitute the earth model. Additionally, an initial guess is needed for the seismic wavelet, defined in the frequency domain using nine parameters. The inversion is an optimisation problem subject to constraints. The optimisation problem is that of minimising the error energy function defined by the sum of squares of the residuals between the observed seismic trace and its prediction by the forward model for the given earth model parameters. To determine the solution we use the method of generalised linear inverses. The generalised inverse is possible only when the Hessian matrix, which describe the curvature of error energy surface, is positive definite. When the Hessian is not definite, it is necessary to modify it to obtain the nearest positive definite matrix. To modify the Hessian we used a method based on the Cholesky factorisation. Because the modified Hessian is positive definite, we need to find the generalised inverse only once. But we may need to restrict the step-length to obtain the minimum. Such a method is a step-length based method. A step-length based method was implemented using linear equality and inequality constraints into a computer program to invert the observed seismic data for impedance. The linear equality and inequality constraints were used so that solutions that are geologically feasible and numerically stable are obtained. The strategy for the real data inversion was to first estimate the seismic wavelet at the well, then optimise the wavelet parameters. Then use the optimum wavelet to invert for impedance and layer boundaries in the seismic traces. In the three real data examples studied, this inversion scheme proved that the delineation of the Chadra sands in Gialo Field is possible. Better results could be obtained by using initial earth models that properly parameterise the subsurface, and linear constraints that are based on well data. Defining the wavelet parameters in the time domain may prove to be more stable and could lead to better inversion results.

Photonic crystal (PtC) cavities are an increasingly important way to create all optical methods to control optical data. Not only must the data be controlled, but interfacing it with high frequency electrical signals is particularly interesting especially if this occurs in the 1.55µm telecom band. We present an experiment that uses Rayleigh surface acoustic waves (SAWs) to modulate the frequency of the guided mode of an L3-cavity PtC created on a silicon slab. This work has the potential to interface optical and electrical signals via a mechanical strain wave operating at gigahertz frequencies. Defects are carefully designed into a triangular lattice PtC to realize a waveguide coupled optical cavity. The cavity can be experimentally accessed through grating couplers excited by polarized light at 10 degrees incidence from normal. The optical components are fabricated on a silicon-on-insulator platform, with light confined to the silicon slab region. Through transmission experiments, the L3 cavity was found to have a narrow resonance characterized by a Lorentzian distribution. A quality factor of 165 centered at 6255 1/cm (1.599µm) was measured. Aluminum interdigitated transducers (IDTs) were fabricated through a lithography liftoff process. Their ability to create SAWs requires a piezoelectric medium. As silicon does not have this property, growth of a thin ZnO film was required. The transducers were measured using a network analyzer and were found to produce Rayleigh SAWs at a frequency of 179MHz and a wavelength of 24µm. The acoustic energy traveled 70µm to the target optical device. The L3 cavity has dimensions of around 4µm a side - less than 1/2 a SAW wavelength. Modulation of the L3 PtC resonant frequency was monitored through a repeat of the transmission experiment but with RF excitation of the IDTs at the SAW frequency. A broadening of the transmission spectrum was expected. Unfortunately no change in the fitting parameters could be measured. An HF etch was used to undercut the L3 PtC such that a silicon slab suspended in air could be realized. Simulations had been conducted showing an order of magnitude increase in the quality factor was possible. Broken wirebonds on the transducers created unintended etch channels rendering the SAW non-operational. / Thesis (Master, Physics, Engineering Physics and Astronomy) -- Queen's University, 2013-04-29 12:33:49.254

CIVINS / Blainville's beaked whales (Mesoplodon densirostris) use broadband, ultrasonic echolocation signals (27 to 57 kHz) to search for, localize, and approach prey that generally consist of mid-water and deep-water shes and squid. Although it is well knownthat the spectral characteristics of broadband echoes from marine organisms are a strong function of size, shape, orientation and anatomical group, little is known as to whether or not these or other toothed whales use spectral cues in discriminating between prey and non-prey. In order to study the prey-classification process, a stereo acoustic tag was mounted on a Blainville's beaked whale so that emitted clicks and corresponding echoes from prey could be recorded. A comparison of echoes from prey selected by the whale and those from randomly chosen scatterers suggests that the whale may have, indeed, discriminated between echoes using spectral features and target strengths. Specifically, the whale appears to have favored prey with one or more deep nulls in the echo spectra as well as ones with higher target strength. A three-dimensional, acoustic scattering model is also developed to simulate broadband scattering from squid, a likely prey of the beaked whale. This model applies the distorted wave Born approximation (DWBA) to a weakly-scattering, inhomogeneous body using a combined ray trace and volume integration approach. Scatterer features are represented with volume elements that are small (less than 1/12th of the wavelength) for the frequency range of interest (0 to 120 kHz). Ranges of validity with respect to material properties and numerical considerations are explored using benchmark computations with simpler geometries such as fluid-filled spherical and cylindrical fluid shells. Modeling predictions are compared with published data from live, freely swimming squid. These results, as well as previously published studies, are used in the analysis of the echo spectra of the whale's ensonified targets. / CIVINS

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. / Current underwater acoustic communication systems operate in the frequency band of 1 - 10 kHz and utilize various forms of signal processing to improve data rates. In this work, the influence of the environment on long-range propagation of acoustic signals will be examined over the band of 1-5 kHz. The transmission loss (Th) as a function of range over the bandwidth will be one measure to determine the optimal operating character of the communications channel. Additionally, estimates of signal variance over the bandwidth as a function of range will be computed. The variance will be generated from source platform motion and interface roughness. Particular attention will be paid to the 2 - 4 kHz band of certain operating systems for long-range transmission / Lieutenant, United States Navy

Identifying the influence of eastern boundary current (EBC) dynamical processes on sound speed structure can provide better ocean models for acoustic predictions in littoral regions. This study will explore the effects of currents, wind and eddies on the sound speed structure of two different EBC models, the North Canary Current System (NCCS) and the Leeuwin Current System (LCS). These systems represent classical features of EBCs as well as regional anomalies. This study seeks to introduce sound speed analysis to the sigma coordinate primitive equation models and determine which regions of EBCs experience the largest changes in sound speed and most intense gradients. Results of model runs show that the dynamics of EBCs lead to large changes in sound speed and distort the vertical sound speed profile. The greatest change in sound speed in either region is caused by upwelling in the NCCS. Surface and associated subsurface eddies in the LCS are the largest scale feature in the study. The undercurrent of the NCCS and Meddies present the most intense (horizontal and vertical) gradients of sound speed change. / US Navy (USN) author.

M.Ing. / Please refer to full text to view abstract

We investigate experimentally the effects of acoustic forces on submicron aerosol in a channel flow. This technique can potentially overcome some of the limitations of conventional separation systems and provide advanced manipulation capabilities such as sorting according to size or density. The theoretical framework for acoustophoresis at such small length scales where molecular effects are expected to be significant is still incomplete and in need of experimental validation. The main objectives of this thesis are to identify the physical limitations and capabilities of acoustophoretic manipulation for submicron aerosol particles. Two sets of experiments were carried out: first, qualitative results revealed that acoustic manipulation is possible for submicron particles in air and that the acoustic force follows the trend expected by theoretical models developed for particles in inviscid fluids. The acoustic force on submicron particles was estimated in a second set of measurements performed with quantitative diagnostic tools. Comparison of these results with available theoretical models for the acoustic radiation forces demonstrates that for such small particles additional forces have to be considered. At submicron length scales, the magnitude of the forces observed is orders of magnitude higher than the predictions from the inviscid theory. One potential application for acoustophoresis is specifically investigated in this thesis: assist electrostatic precipitation (ESP) samplers to target very small aerosols, such as those carrying airborne viruses. To identify the shortcomings of ESP samplers that acoustophoresis should overcome, two ESP designs have been investigated to quantify capture efficiency as a function of the particle size and of the air velocity in a wind tunnel. The results reveal that both designs have limitations when it comes to sampling submicron aerosol particles. When exposed to polydispersed suspensions they behave as low-pass filters. / <p>QC 20161125</p>

My thesis is composed of two parts. A method for the detection of bubbles using thermal sensors was developed and tested in the first part, and the measurement of intensity thresholds for cavitation in liquids is emphasized in the second. A heated thermocouple array for use as a bubble detector has been developed in this study. The array is a multi-junction probe with a heater situated close to the array. When the heated thermocouple array is placed in a sonicated liquid at a temperature below that of the array, heat losses from the sensor will be modified (increased or decreased) by the presence of gas bubbles close to the site of an individual junction by virtue of the different thermal conductivities of gases and liquids, and because of ultrasound scattering by the bubbles. The sudden appearance of gas bubbles in a liquid close to a heated thermocouple junction should therefore lead to temperature fluctuations whose magnitude will depend on the size and position of the bubbles relative to the ultrasound transducer and to the detector. The output of each thermocouple was fed to an amplifier. This circuit also compensated for room temperature changes and processed the sensor signal to give a digital reading of temperature on digital display. This detecting circuit also called a multi-point sensor was constructed by Assaf, Watmough and Robertson (1986). The heated thermocouple array was first tested in liquid flowing down a pipe which demonstrated its ability to detect single bubbles over a range of sizes. Bubbles generated by ultrasound in liquids (water, blood plasma, and whole blood) were detected by the means of the heated thermocouple array. The intensity thresholds for cavitation in liquids in vitro has been measured using the heated probe and also by a doppler probe for comparison. The dependence of the intensity thresholds in dissolve gases has been considered. The construction of multi-junction probes by argon arc welding is also described.