Mid-Air Single-Sided Acoustic Levitation in High-Pressure Regions

Abstract: Acoustic levitation is essential in many scientific and engineering applications to realize non-contact manipulation using sound waves. Traditional methods use standing waves from opposing sound sources, which limits manipulation to enclosed spaces. Single-sided levitation with twin traps has limited reach near phased array of transducers (\textless 66.7 mm). Herein, we introduce a new levitation mode and demonstrate stable levitation and translation between 141 and 397 mm from a phased array of transducers using a Bessel beam. The non-diffractive propagation characteristics of the Bessel beam, combined with its high central acoustic pressure, enable particles to be stably entrapped and manipulated within the high-pressure region of the beam. This work extends the reach of acoustic manipulation using a single-sided levitator.