Ultrasound Laser ("uaser") Built

Today we have yet another interesting bit of news from the 151st meeting of the Acoustical Society of America. In addition to the "photoacoustic microscope" of vibrating nanowires we described earlier, it seems that researchers have been able to create an ultrasonic version of a laser. The ultrasound amplification by stimulated emission of radiation ("uaser," pronounced "way-zer") creates sound waves that are coherent and of one frequency. The researchers believe that there are many applications for such an apparatus, such as using it to test the phase changes and elastic properties induced in modern materials, such as thin films. Also, the longer wavelengths of the uaser make it more convenient for testing some properties of laser dynamics.

As I reflect on this, I wonder if it would have applications in the field of sonar technology. It would seem to me that a coherent, in-frequency beam of ultrasound would definitely be useful in any field of acoustic location, perhaps with applications to robotics, the acoustic location of fish, and of course medical ultrasonography. There are probably some military applications as well, although I doubt as a weapon ... intensity is still a function of input power, so this doesn't appear to significantly increase that.

You can find other presentations from the meeting here.