Visualization of phase conjugate ultrasound waves passed through inhomogeneous layer

Compensation of phase distortions of ultrasound beams by means of parametric phase conjugation is visualized. Quasi-plane and focused primary beams were distorted by a polymer aberration layer introduced between the primary wave source and the wave phase conjugator. It is demonstrated acousto-optically that, while the acoustic field is strongly irregular in the area between aberration layer and conjugator, the phase conjugate wave visibly reproduces the primary beams in the area between the layer and the primary wave source. The phenomenon is observed in supercritical mode of parametric amplification when intensity of phase conjugate wave is high enough for manifestations of acoustic nonlinearities in water. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.