The overall objective of this thesis was to predict, model and measure low frequency acoustic backscatter from the sea surface zone (SSZ). In particular, the objectives were fourfold: to relate the acoustic backscatter Doppler spectrum to the directional waveheight spectrum (DWS) through a perturbation analysis; to develop instrumentation suitable for measuring the properties of acoustic backscatter from the SSZ; to design and implement signal processing hardware and software to process raw data from the instrument; and to deploy the instrument and make measurements to test the validity of the predictions of the theoretical development. A theoretical framework was developed to enable a test of the acoustic analogue of the Coastal Ocean Dynamics Applications Radar (CODAR) technique, using beamforming techniques to simulate the CODAR antennas. Expressions relating the CODAR antenna outputs to the output of an array of omnidirectional acoustic point sensors were developed, and mathematical algorithms and techniques were derived to extract information about the DWS of surface gravity waves from acoustic Doppler backscatter measurements with the array. Models were developed and implemented, showing the expected form of the power spectral density of the acoustic Doppler backscatter seen by single omnidirectional receivers, and the expected form of data products of the beamformed array. An acoustic instrument — the Upward-Looking Sonar Array System (ULSAS) — was developed for stand-alone, remotely controlled operation in both bottom-situated and deep-water, surface-tethered configurations. This device can collect and store large quantities of acoustic data from a multi-element array, under the control of a distant operator over a radio link. The bottom-situated version was deployed in the coastal waters of British Columbia, and the deep water version was deployed in the recent Surface Wave Processes (SWAPP) experiment. A preliminary test of the acoustic CODAR technique was made, yielding information consistent with the known wind and wave field. The form of the non-directional part of the extracted DWS followed approximately the expected k⁻⁴ shape for k values above saturation. Beamforming results using frequency-domain data show that the Doppler-shifted acoustic backscatter is directional in nature. These are the first results of this kind to be reported. The deep-water version of ULSAS was tested for the first time during the SWAPP cruise. In spite of a problem limiting the power output of the projector, estimates of the surface scattering strength parameter over angles of incidence less than 45° were made, showing some surprising departures from the Chapman-Harris empirical formula for S₅ , and interesting angular structure. Measurements of the ambient noise field were also made under calm conditions and during 14 kt winds. / Science, Faculty of / Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Department of / Graduate

Wideband differential interferometry has been applied to the detection of SAW on specimen surfaces and ultrasonic compressional waves in liquids. Herein is described the performance of a wideband differential system which uses single mode optical fibers to transmit coherent light from input optics to a surface which supports which supports ultrasonic waves. Polarized light from a 2.0 mW helium-neon laser source is divided and coupled to two flexible bundled single mode optical fibers which transmit the light to a small remote detection head. The light at the output end of the fibers is collimated and focused by a varifocal lens system to points on the surface of a specimen to be inspected. Elastic waves on the specimen differentially modulate the relative phases of the two optical beams due to periodic changes in particle displacement at the surface. Upon reflection, the two beams are superimposed, filtered, and detected to produce an optical signal directly proportional to instantaneous displacements. Also described is the development of two beam and four beam differential systems for the detection of ultrasonic compressional waves in water. Two laser beams are transmitted through a water tank and combined to produce an interference pattern. The detected motion of the pattern yields a differential measure of the acoustic field amplitude at the location of the two probe beams. If a pulsed ultrasonic wave is generated in the tank in a direction perpendicular to and coplanar with the probe beams, each beam is modulated independently and output signals of opposite phase are produced. The acoustic sensitivity of both the above systems may be adjusted by changing the separation between the two spots on the surface or the two beams in the tank. The system effectively discriminates against low frequency noise vibrations, while the upper acoustic frequency response exceeds 100 MHz. Applications requiring flexibility allowed by a remote detection head can use the fiber system to their advantage while potential applications of the four beam system to three dimensional mapping and ultrasonic field scattering is suggested. / Master of Science

A simple dual interferometer which uses two pairs of orthogonally polarized optical beams to measure both the amplitude and direction of propagation of broadband ultrasonic surface waves is described. Each pair of focused laser probe beams is used in a separate wideband differential interferometer to independently detect the component of surface wave motion along one direction of the surface. By combining the two output signals corresponding to both components, the two-dimensional surface profile and its variation as a function of time may be determined. Although the system has an optically adjustable -3db acoustic bandwidth of more than two decades (eg. 30kHz to 3MHz for acoustic emission measurements) and may detect peak displacements in the sub-Angstrom range, it is designed to be insensitive to low-frequency specimen translation. Potential applications in nondestructive evaluation are discussed. / Master of Science

In this study the description and development of intensity-based laser interferometric techniques for the detection and measurement of ultrasonic stress waves and their small displacement amplitudes is presented. The dynamic displacement sensitive interferometers described in the following chapters allow the quantitative point-by-point measurement of both in-plane and out-of-plane components of surface displacement motion. These uniquely developed interferometric sensors are: 1) an optical system design for the detection of the surface acoustic wave (Rayleigh wave). The technique is based on the Fourier analysis of coherent light and diffraction imaging properties of an illuminated grating; 2) the design and construction of a two-beam unequal-path laser interferometer for the measurement of out-of-plane surface displacement of ultrasonic waves; 3) extension of a flexible fiber optic probing device which is optically coupled to the test arm of the above two-beam interferometer. This permits scanning of the test surface which may be at some distance from the main optical system components; 4) the design and construction of a laser speckle interferometer for retro-reflective diffusing surfaces in which the in-plane displacements of the ultrasonic wave are interrogated. The inherent advantages of these newly designed optical configurations in terms of their greater simplicity, feasibility, and sensitivity over the conventional counterparts (classical/speckle laser interferometers) are explained. The function-response limitations of these interferometric sensors on lateral displacement resolution, on upper and lower-bound displacement sensitivity (dynamic range), on high-frequency bandwidth probing capability, on low-frequency environmentally associated noise disturbance, and on specularly reflective or diffusively retro-reflective specimen surface preparation are also mentioned. Finally, in a series of experimental observations, the application of a couple of these acoustic sensors in pulsed-excitation ultrasonic Specifically, the optically testing methods is cited. detected ultrasonic signals revealing the true nature of the various surface displacement modes of vibration are presented. / Ph. D.