Pilar Candelas

In this work, we develop a new design method based on fast Fourier transform (FFT) for implementing zone plates (ZPs) with bifocal focusing profiles. We show that the FFT of the governing binary sequence provides a discrete sequence of the same length, which indicates the location of the main foci at the ZP focusing profile. Then, using reverse engineering and establishing a target focusing profile, we are capable of generating a binary sequence that provides a ZP with the desired focusing profile. We show that this design method, based on the inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT), is very flexible and powerful and allows to tailor the design of bifocal ZPs to achieve focusing profiles with the desired foci locations and resolutions. The key advantage of our design algorithm, compared to other alternatives presented in previous works, is that our method provides bifocal focusing profiles with an absolute control of the foci locations. Moreover, although we analyze the performance of this novel design algorithm for underwater ultrasonics, it can also be successfully extended to different fields of physics, such as optics or microwaves, where ZPs are widely employed.

In this work, we analyze the effect of the distribution of transparent Fresnel regions over the focusing profile of Soret Zone Plates (SZP) based on binary sequences. It is shown that this effect becomes very significant in those fields where directional transducers are employed, such as microwaves or acoustics. A thorough analysis of both the SZP transmission efficiency and the focusing enhancement factor is presented. Moreover, experimental measurements are also carried out for a particular type of binary sequence, the Cantor ternary set, validating the theoretical model and demonstrating that the distribution of transparent Fresnel regions becomes a critical parameter in applications requiring directional emitters.

In this work, we analyze the effect of predistortion techniques on the focusing profile of Fresnel Zone Plates (FZPs) in ultrasound applications. This novel predistortion method is based on either increasing or decreasing the width of some of the FZP Fresnel rings by a certain amount. We investigate how the magnitude of the predistortion, as well as the number and location of the predistorted rings, influences the lens focusing profile. This focusing profile can be affected in different ways depending on the area of the lens where the predistortion is applied. It is shown that when the inner area of the lens, closer to its center, is predistorted, this technique allows the control of the focal depth at the main focus. However, when the predistortion is applied to an area farther from the center of the lens, the acoustic intensity distribution among the main focus and the closest adjacent secondary foci can be tailored at a certain degree. This predistortion technique shows great potential and can be used to control, modify and shape the FZP focusing profile in both industrial and therapeutic applications.

Ultrasound focusing is a hot topic due to its multiple applications in many fields, including biomedical imaging, thermal ablation of cancerous tissues, and non destructive testing in industrial environments. In such applications, the ability to control the focal distance of the ultrasound device in real-time is a key advantage over conventional devices with fixed focal parameters. Here, we present a method to achieve multiple time-modulated ultrasound foci using a single planar monofocal Fresnel Zone Plate. The method takes advantage of the focal distance linear dependence on the operating frequency of this kind of lenses to design a sequence of contiguous modulated rectangular pulses that achieve different focal distances and intensities as a function of time. Both numerical simulations and experimental results are presented, demonstrating the feasibility and potential of this technique.

Fresnel Zone Plates are planar lenses that can be used to focus ultrasound beams. This kind of acoustic lenses can play a key role in the resolution of ultrasonic NDT systems. In this type of pulse-echo applications, the pulse duration is an important parameter that specifies the axial resolution, and thus, shorter ultrasound pulses provide higher resolutions. However, acoustic lenses exhibit a transient response that should be considered when setting the pulse duration, as pulses shorter than the transient state duration result in degradation in the response of acoustic lenses in terms of focal intensity, focal displacement, and lateral and axial resolutions. In this work, a thorough analysis of the transient response of Fresnel Zone Plates is discussed, demonstrating that the transient state should be considered in order to achieve optimal focusing performance. Theoretical and numerical results are presented, showing very good agreement.

In this work, we present a bifocal Fresnel zone plate (BiFZP) capable of generating focusing profiles with two different foci. The performance of the BiFZP is demonstrated in the ultrasound domain, with a very good agreement between the experimental measurements and the finite element method (FEM) simulations. This lens becomes an appealing alternative to other dual-focusing lenses, in which the foci location can only be set at a limited range of positions, such as M-bonacci zone plates. Moreover, the variation of the operating frequency has also been analyzed, providing an additional dynamic control parameter in this type of lenses.

In this work, we present a thorough analysis on M-bonacci zone plates for ultrasound focusing applications. These planar lenses are capable of providing bifocal focusing profiles with equal intensity in both foci and become very appealing for a wide range of scenarios including medical and industrial applications. We show that in high-wavelength domains, such as acoustics or microwaves, the separation between both foci can be finely adjusted at the expense of slightly increasing the distortion of the focusing profile, and we introduce a design parameter to deal with this issue and simplify the design process of these lenses. Experimental measurements are in good agreement with numerical simulations and demonstrate the potential of M-bonacci lenses in ultrasound focusing applications.