Controlled sample orientation and rotation in an acoustic levitator

US4777823A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration · US

Inventors

• Martin B. Barmatz · La Cañada Flintridge, US
• Mark S. Gaspar · Glendale, US
• Eugene H. Trinh · Los Angeles, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 20, 1987
• Grant date: Oct 18, 1988
• Expiry date: Aug 20, 2007

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G10K15/00
• WIPO field: Other consumer goods
• WIPO sector: Other fields

Abstract

A system is described for use with acoustic levitators, which can prevent rotation of a levitated object or control its orientation and/or rotation. The acoustic field is made nonsymmetrical about the axis of the levitator, to produce an orienting torque that resists sample rotation. In one system, a perturbating reflector is located on one side of the axis of the levitator, at a location near the levitated object. In another system, the main reflector surface towards which incoming acoustic waves are directed is nonsymmetrically curved about the axis of the levitator. The levitated object can be reoriented or rotated in a controlled manner by repositioning the reflector producing the nonsymmetry.