How can ultrasound propagation be simulated efficiently, even at high frequencies and over large domains? A new publication from the MSE Lab addresses this challenge – and marks the first scientific paper of our colleague Sebastian Stahl.

Simulations are an important tool for developing and optimizing ultrasound measurement systems. They help us design transducers, better understand measurement signals, and investigate new measurement approaches. Applications range from medical ultrasound and non-destructive testing to high-resolution scanning acoustic microscopy.

The challenge: high frequencies and large simulation domains

Powerful numerical methods for simulating ultrasound propagation already exist. However, as frequencies increase and three-dimensional simulation domains become larger, the computational effort can grow substantially. This becomes particularly challenging for applications such as scanning acoustic microscopy, where frequencies above 10 MHz are common.

Sebastian's work therefore investigates an alternative approach for layered materials. Instead of numerically calculating the complete wave propagation for each individual ultrasound signal, the method determines the impulse response of the system. This impulse response can then be combined with different excitation signals.

This allows different transducers, signals, and measurement configurations to be investigated efficiently without repeating the complete wave propagation calculation for every excitation.

A foundation for scanning acoustic microscopy

At the MSE Lab, this approach is particularly relevant to our research in Scanning Acoustic Microscopy (SAM). SAM enables high-resolution imaging of materials and structures and is a powerful tool for applications ranging from microelectronics to biomedical research.

The new work provides an important methodological foundation for efficiently simulating such measurements, improving our understanding of the underlying wave propagation, and ultimately optimizing future measurement systems.

Congratulations to Sebastian Stahl on his first scientific publication! We look forward to building on this work in our future research on ultrasound simulation and scanning acoustic microscopy.

Find the Paper here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0041624X26003057?casa_token=U5IKzFzI6zwAAAAA:cxNfabJIngqhozqyNUrfzaMWmc6S6EsyPeJKlg0PgK7UKCcPLELWGXglLXdjE2zLvwwTl4FlVX4