Concentration of microparticles and bubbles in standing waves.

This paper studies the collective dynamics of microparticles in plane and cylindrical resonators. Based on the known results regarding the motion of a single particle under the action of acoustic radiation force, concentration and separation of particles in standing waves are investigated. As an example, spherical particles (cells) with a slightly larger density and sound speed than those in ambient fluid are considered. Initial particle distribution is assumed to be almost homogeneous at the considered intervals. The formation of concentration peaks in plane standing waves and on the axis of a cylindrical system is demonstrated; additional concentration along the axis is possible. The possibility of an opposite process, i.e., keeping particles stirred by periodic change of acoustic wavelength, is confirmed as well. Distribution and separation of microbubbles of different sizes in a standing wave is also studied. Examples of available experimental data illustrating the relevance of the theory are given.