On the Reproducibility and Directionality of Underwater Laser-induced Acoustic Signal

Abstract An intense laser pulse focused in water could induce plasma expansion, which can be used as an impulsive sound source. The optoacoustic underwater source is very useful in marine applications; however, the poor reproductivity and the sharp directivity of the emitted signals is a big problem. The reproductivity and directivity of the acoustic emission by laser breakdown are measured in the laboratory experiment in this paper, and the results show that the reproductivity and directivity are both direction-dependent. The measurement also shows the feasibility of improving the reproductivity and directivity by adjusting the focusing system of the laser beam.