The effects of focusing and refraction on Gaussian ultrasonic beams

A scalar theory of the propagation of Gaussian ultrasonic beams through lenses and interfaces is presented. For radiation into a fluid, the Fresnel approximation is employed to derive the laws of propagation of Guassian beams (previously employed in the analysis of coherent optical systems). These are then generalized to situations commonly found in nondestructive evaluation by treating the effects of propagation through lenses and through curved interfaces at oblique incidence. A numerical example illustrates the ease with which insight into diffraction phenomena for complex geometries can be gained by this approach. The limitations imposed on the theory by aberrations and the scalar assumption are discussed, and the relationship of the Gaussian theory to the radiation of piston transducers is explored.