Noncontact Dynamic Oscillations of Acoustically Levitated Particles by Parametric Excitation

Abstract

The phenomenon of $a\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}c\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}o\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}u\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}s\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}t\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}i\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}c$ $l\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}e\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}v\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}i\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}t\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}a\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}t\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}i\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}o\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}n$ has lately found application in noncontact particle manipulation in research laboratories, but is not mature enough for commercial use, as the dynamics of a levitated particle are not understood well enough. The authors derive a refined model for these particle dynamics, and use it with parametric excitation in real time to control the oscillations of one specific particle in a levitated group. This insight brings acoustic-levitator design a step closer to commercial reality.