arXiv subjects

Daniel A. Kiefer

Publications and source records attributed to Daniel A. Kiefer.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Guided elastic waves for soft elastomer characterization: an alternative to conventional rheometry

Elastic wave propagation is intrinsically sensitive to the mechanical properties of the medium through which it travels. In soft elastomers, this makes guided elastic waves natural probes of viscoelastic and acoustoelastic behavior over a broad frequency range. In this work, we introduce a wave-based mechanical characterization method in which a thin elastomer strip acts as a waveguide supporting multiple in-plane guided modes. By combining stroboscopic measurements of monochromatic wave fields with a theoretical framework that couples frequency-dependent viscoelasticity and elongation-dependent acoustoelasticity, we extract complex-valued dispersion relations for guided modes under controlled static elongation. A dedicated numerical implementation allows these experimental dispersion curves to be quantitatively matched to theory, enabling identification of the material's rheological and hyperelastic parameters. Applied to several commercial silicone elastomers, the method yields mechanical parameters that are consistent with conventional plate-plate rheometry, while extending the accessible frequency range beyond that of conventional techniques. By exploiting the richness of guided-wave dispersion and the sensitivity of waves to both frequency and pre-stress, this approach provides a unified, broadband, and experimentally simple route to the mechanical characterization of soft elastomers.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2025

Computing leaky waves in semi-analytical waveguide models by exponential residual relaxation

Semi-analytical methods for the modeling of guided waves in structures of constant cross-section lead to frequency-dependent polynomial eigenvalue problems for the wavenumbers and mode shapes. Solving these eigenvalue problems for a range of frequencies results in continuous eigencurves that are of relevance in practical applications of ultrasonic measurement systems. Recent research has shown that eigencurves of parameter-dependent eigenvalue problems can alternatively be computed as solutions of a system of ordinary differential equations, which are obtained by postulating an exponentially decaying residual of a modal solution. This general concept for solving parameter-dependent matrix equations is, in this context, known as Zeroing Neural Networks or Zhang Neural Networks (ZNN). We exploit this idea to develop an efficient method for computing the dispersion curves of plate structures coupled to unbounded solid or fluid media. In these scenarios, the alternative formulation is particularly useful since the boundary conditions give rise to nonlinear terms that severely hinder the application of traditional solvers.

physics.class-ph↗

arXiv2024

Electroelastic guided wave dispersion in piezoelectric plates: spectral methods and laser-ultrasound experiments

Electroelastic waves in piezoelectric media are widely used in sensing and filtering applications. Despite extensive research, computing the guided wave dispersion remains challenging. This paper presents semi-analytical approaches based on spectral methods to efficiently and reliably compute dispersion curves. We systematically assess the impact of electrical boundary conditions on a 128° Y-cut LiNbO3 wafer, examining open-open, open-shorted and shorted-shorted surfaces configurations. Multi-modal dispersion maps obtained from laser-ultrasonic experiments for each boundary condition exhibit excellent agreement with the computational predictions. A straightforward implementation of the spectral collocation method is made available as "GEW piezo plate" (https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14205789), while the spectral element method will be integrated to "GEWtool" (http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10114243). Therewith, we aim to make advanced semi-analytical techniques more accessible to physicists and engineers relying on dispersion analysis.

physics.app-ph↗

arXiv2024

A Sylvester equation approach for the computation of zero-group-velocity points in waveguides

Eigenvalues of parameter-dependent quadratic eigenvalue problems form eigencurves. The critical points on these curves, where the derivative vanishes, are of practical interest. A particular example is found in the dispersion curves of elastic waveguides, where such points are called zero-group-velocity (ZGV) points. Recently, it was revealed that the problem of computing ZGV points can be modeled as a multiparameter eigenvalue problem (MEP), and several numerical methods were devised. Due to their complexity, these methods are feasible only for problems involving small matrices. In this paper, we improve the efficiency of these methods by exploiting the link to the Sylvester equation. This approach enables the computation of ZGV points for problems with much larger matrices, such as multi-layered plates and three-dimensional structures of complex cross-sections.

math.NA↗

arXiv2024

Extreme wave skewing and dispersion spectra of anisotropic elastic plates

Guided wave dispersion is commonly assessed by Fourier analysis of the field along a line, resulting in frequency-wavenumber dispersion curves. In anisotropic plates, a point source can generate multiple dispersion branches pertaining to the same modal surface, which arise due to the angle between the power flux and the wave vector. We show that this phenomenon is particularly pronounced near zero-group-velocity points, entailing up to six contributions along a given direction. Stationary phase points accurately describe the measurements conducted on a monocrystalline silicon plate.

physics.class-ph↗

arXiv2024

Viscoelastic dynamics of a soft strip subject to a large deformation

To produce sounds, we adjust the tension of our vocal folds to shape their properties and control the pitch. This efficient mechanism offers inspiration for designing reconfigurable materials and adaptable soft robots. However, understanding how flexible structures respond to a significant static strain is not straightforward. This complexity also limits the precision of medical imaging when applied to tensioned organs like muscles, tendons, ligaments and blood vessels among others. In this article, we experimentally and theoretically explore the dynamics of a soft strip subject to a substantial static extension, up to 180%. Our observations reveal a few intriguing effects, such as the resilience of certain vibrational modes to a static deformation. These observations are supported by a model based on the incremental displacement theory. This has promising practical implications for characterizing soft materials but also for scenarios where external actions can be used to tune properties.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2024

Computation of leaky waves in layered structures coupled to unbounded media by exploiting multiparameter eigenvalue problems

We present a semi-analytical approach to compute quasi-guided elastic wave modes in horizontally layered structures radiating into unbounded fluid or solid media. This problem is of relevance, e.g., for the simulation of guided ultrasound in embedded plate structures or seismic waves in soil layers over an elastic half-space. We employ a semi-analytical formulation to describe the layers, thus discretizing the thickness direction by means of finite elements. For a free layer, this technique leads to a well-known quadratic eigenvalue problem for the mode shapes and corresponding horizontal wavenumbers. Rigorously incorporating the coupling conditions to account for the adjacent half-spaces gives rise to additional terms that are nonlinear in the wavenumber. We show that the resulting nonlinear eigenvalue problem can be cast in the form of a multiparameter eigenvalue problem whose solutions represent the wave numbers in the plate and in the half-spaces. The multiparameter eigenvalue problem is solved numerically using recently developed algorithms.

math.NA↗

arXiv2024

Beating resonance patterns and extreme power flux skewing in anisotropic elastic plates

Elastic waves in anisotropic media can exhibit a power flux that is not collinear with the wave vector. This has notable consequences for waves guided in a plate. Through laser-ultrasonic experiments, we evidence remarkable phenomena due to slow waves in a single crystal silicon wafer. Waves exhibiting power flux orthogonal to their wave vector are identified. A pulsed line source that excites these waves reveals a wave packet radiated parallel to the line. Furthermore, there exist precisely eight plane waves with zero power flux. These so-called zero-group-velocity modes are oriented along the crystal's principal axes. Time acts as a filter in the wave vector domain that selects these modes. Thus, a point source leads to beating resonance patterns with moving nodal curves on the surface of the infinite plate. We observe this pattern as it emerges naturally after a pulsed excitation.

physics.class-ph↗

arXiv2023

Supersonic shear wave imaging in stretched soft strips: modeling for quantitative elastography

Objective - Shear wave elastography has enriched ultrasound medical imaging with quantitative measurements of tissue stiffness. However, this method still suffers from some limitations due to viscoelasticity, guiding geometry or static deformations. Approach - To explore these limitations, a nearly-incompressible soft elastomer strip is chosen to mimic the mechanical behavior of an elongated tissue. A supersonic shear wave scanner measures the propagation of shear waves within the strip. By repeating the experiment on the same sample for different orientations and static strains, the scanner estimates the shear wave velocity in a wide range from 2 to 6 m/s. Main results - The effect of waveguiding is highlighted and the spatio-temporal Fourier transform of the raw data provides dispersion diagrams. We provide a theoretical model that accounts for the static deformation and allows the extraction of the mechanical parameters of the sample, including its rheology and hyperelastic behavior. Significance - To overcome some limitations of current elastography, we propose a method that would allow the simultaneous characterization of the viscoelastic and hyperelastic properties of soft tissues, paving the way for robust quantitative elastography of elongated tissues.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2023

Notes on osculations and mode tracing in semi-analytical waveguide modeling

The dispersion curves of (elastic) waveguides frequently exhibit crossings and osculations (also known as veering, repulsion, or avoided crossing). Osculations are regions in the dispersion diagram where curves approach each other arbitrarily closely without ever crossing before veering apart. In semi-analytical (undamped) waveguide models, dispersion curves are obtained as solutions to discretized parameterized Hermitian eigenvalue problems. In the mathematical literature, it is known that such eigencurves can exhibit crossing points only if the corresponding matrix flow (parameter-dependent matrix) is uniformly decomposable. We discuss the implications for the solution of the waveguide problem. In particular, we make use of a simple algorithm recently suggested in the literature for decomposing matrix flows. We also employ a method for mode tracing based on approximating the eigenvalue problem for individual modes by an ordinary differential equation that can be solved by standard procedures.

physics.class-ph↗

arXiv2023

Computing zero-group-velocity points in anisotropic elastic waveguides: Globally and locally convergent methods

Dispersion curves of elastic waveguides exhibit points where the group velocity vanishes while the wavenumber remains finite. These are the so-called zero-group-velocity (ZGV) points. As the elastodynamic energy at these points remains confined close to the source, they are of practical interest for nondestructive testing and quantitative characterization of structures. These applications rely on the correct prediction of the ZGV points. In this contribution, we first model the ZGV resonances in anisotropic plates based on the appearance of an additional modal solution. The resulting governing equation is interpreted as a two-parameter eigenvalue problem. Subsequently, we present three complementary numerical procedures capable of computing ZGV points in arbitrary nondissipative elastic waveguides in the conventional sense that their axial power flux vanishes. The first method is globally convergent and guarantees to find all ZGV points but can only be used for small problems. The second procedure is a very fast, generally-applicable, Newton-type iteration that is locally convergent and requires initial guesses. The third method combines both kinds of approaches and yields a procedure that is applicable to large problems, does not require initial guesses and is likely to find all ZGV points. The algorithms are implemented in "GEW ZGV computation" (doi: 10.5281/zenodo.7537442).

physics.class-ph↗