Chapter 6 – Reflection and Transmission

(6.1) When an acoustic wave traveling in one medium encounters another medium, reflected and
transmitted waves are generated from the boundary. The ratios of the intensities and pressure
amplitudes of the reflected and transmitted waves to the incident wave depend on the characteristic
acoustic impedances ( ρ0c ) of the two media and the angle the incident wave makes with the
interface.

Let’s start with a few general definitions that you need to know (the next few sections will assume a
plane wave formulation):

We define z n = ρn cn as the characteristic acoustic impedance for medium ‘n’.

The pressure transmission and reflection coefficients are defined as:
P% P%
T% = %t and R% = %r .
Pi Pi
P2
Recall that for a plane wave the intensity is given by so that the intensity transmission and
2 ρ0 c
reflection coefficients are given by:
TI = t = 1 T% = R% .
I z 2 Ir 2
and RI =
Ii z2 Ii

(6.2) Transmission from one fluid to another: normal incidence.

We are going to consider several different cases. The first case is a simple reflection/transmission
when an acoustic plane wave is incident normally on a single interface between two different
(lossless) fluids. The second case will consider transmission through a fluid layer. A third case will
consider a plane wave incident on a fluid-fluid interface at oblique incidence. A final case will look
at reflection/transmission from a fluid-solid interface.
Looking at the first case:

p% i = P%i e j( ωt –k1 x ) incident wave

p% r = P%r e j (ω t+k 1x ) reflected wave

p% t = P%t e j( ωt –k2 x )
transmitted wave
Oelze ECE/TAM 373 Notes - Chapter 5 pg 1
We define the three waves, an incident wave traveling in the ‘+’ x-direction, the reflected wave
traveling in the ‘-‘ x-direction and the transmitted wave traveling in the ‘+’ x-direction. The
acoustic wave in each medium has a different wavenumber given by

ω 2π f 2π ω 2π f 2π
k1 = = = and k2 = = =
c1 c1 λ1 c2 c2 λ2

where the wavenumber and wavelength are determined from the frequency of the acoustic wave and
the speed of sound in each medium.

There are two boundary conditions that must be satisfied for all times across the interface, these
boundary conditions allow us to determine the magnitudes of the reflected and transmitted waves in
terms of the incident amplitude.

The first boundary condition states that the acoustic pressure must be equal on both sides of the
interface or
( p%i + p% r ) x =0 = p%t
which essentially says that there is no net force on the massless interface (Newton’s 3rd Law).
Examining this further we see

P%i e j( ωt – k1 0) + P%r e j ( ωt+ k1 0) = P%t e j (ωt – k 2 0)

P% + P% = P%
i r t (I)

The second boundary condition states that the normal components of the particle velocity must be
equal on both sides of the boundary (x-direction for the drawing above) or

( u%i + u%r ) x = 0 = u%t

which essentially says that there is no separation between “particles” at the interface. Examining
this further we have (for a plane wave)

P%i j (ω t– k1 0 ) P% P%
e xˆ − r e j ( ωt+ k 10) xˆ = t e j ( ωt –k 20) xˆ
z1 z1 z2
P%i P%r P%t
− = or z 2 P%i − z 2P%r = z1 P%t . (II)
z1 z1 z2

1
Taking (I) and multiplying by % gives
Pi
P% P%
1+ %r = %t
Pi Pi
or 1 + R% = T% . (an important relation to remember)
Oelze ECE/TAM 373 Notes - Chapter 5 pg 2
 1
Taking (II) and multiplying by % gives
Pi
P% P%
z 2 − z2 %r = z1 %t
P i P i

or z 2 − z2 R% = z1T% .
Substituting in for T% from above yields

( )
z 2 − z 2 R% = z1 1 + R% .

We seek the reflection coefficient so we solve for R% giving

z −z
R% = 2 1
z 2 + z1
Likewise, solving for T% by using 1 + R% = T%
z − z z +z z −z
T% = 1 + 2 1 = 2 1 + 2 1
z2 + z1 z 2 + z 1 z2 + z1
.
T% =
2z2
z 2 + z1

Let’s consider some 5 different cases and see what they mean:
1) z 2 = z1
2) z 2 > z1
3) z 2 < z1
z
4) 2 → ∞ , that is, z 2 ? z1
z1
z
5) 2 → 0 , that is, z 2 = z1
z1

Case (1): z 2 = z1
z −z
R% = 2 1 = 0 → P%r = 0
z2 + z1
There is no reflected wave and
T% = = 1 → P%t = 1
2 z2
z 2 + z1
or the transmitted wave has the same amplitude as the incident wave.
This is as it should be, so all is right with the world and the mathematical description.

Case (2): z 2 > z1

Oelze ECE/TAM 373 Notes - Chapter 5 pg 3

 z −z P%
R% = 2 1 > 0 → %r > 0
z2 + z1 Pi
In other words, the reflected wave is in phase with the incident wave. This is reminiscent of the
string reflection from a free end. For the transmitted wave
P% P%
T% =
2 z2
> 1 → %t > 0 and %t > 1 .
z +z
2 1 P i iP
This means that the transmitted wave is in phase with the incident wave at the boundary.
Furthermore, in this instance, the amplitude of the transmitted pressure wave is greater than the
amplitude of the incident wave. Does this seem right? Has the transmitted wave gained energy?

************************* Example 6.1 **************************

Consider a boundary between two media where z 2 = 2 z1 and an acoustic wave is incident on the
boundary. This means that the transmitted wave will have larger amplitude than the incident wave.
Let’s look at the energy in the wave.
The pressure and intensity reflection coefficients are
z − z 2z − z 1
R% = 2 1 = 1 1 =
1
RI = R =
2
and
z2 + z1 2 z1 + z1 3 9
Likewise the pressure and intensity transmission coefficients are given by
16  1  8
T% = TI = 1 T% =   =
2 z2 4 z1 4 z 2
= = and
z 2 + z1 2 z1 + z1 3 z2 9 2 9
For a plane wave recall that the energy density is:
p2 p2
ε= =
2 ρ0 c 2 z
So, the incident energy is given by:
P%i
2

εi =
2 z1
The total energy after the incident wave passes the boundary is
P%r P%t
2 2

εi = + .
2 z1 2 z 2
Setting the two energy equal gives
P%i P%r P%t
2 2 2

= + .
2 z1 2 z1 2 z 2
1 %2
Dividing by Pi gives
2 z1
P%r z P%t
2 2

1= + 1
P%i z 2 P%i
2 2

or

Oelze ECE/TAM 373 Notes - Chapter 5 pg 4

 z1 2
1= R + T = RI + TI .
2

z2
1 8
From above RI = , TI = so that
9 9
1 8
1 = RI + TI = + = 1 .
9 9
So, even though the transmitted amplitude is larger than the incident pressure wave amplitude, the
total energy in the waves remains conserved.

********************************************************************

Case 3: z 2 < z1
z −z P%
R% = 2 1 < 0 → %r < 0
z2 + z1 Pi
In other words, the reflected wave is 180° out of phase with the incident wave. This is reminiscent
of the string reflection from a rigid end. For the transmitted wave
P% P%
T% =
2 z2
< 1 → %t > 0 and %t < 1 .
z2 + z1 Pi Pi
This means that the transmitted wave is in phase with the incident wave at the boundary.

z2
Case 4: → ∞ , that is, z 2 ? z1
z1
 z2 
 − 1
−
R% = 2 1 =  1  → +1 P%r = P%i
z z z
z 2 + z1  z 2 
 + 1
 z1 
z 
2 2 
T% = =  1  → 2 P%t = 2 P%i
2 z2 z
z1 + z2  z2 
 +1
 z1 
All energy reflected at boundary because the reflection coefficient is +1 and the amplitude of the
reflected wave is the amplitude of the incident wave. Medium 2 is virtually incompressible; highly
dense. There is a doubling of pressure amplitude at the boundary. However, energy is still
conserved because no wave propagates in medium 2. Recall from earlier
P%r P%t P%i
2 2 2

εi = + =
2 z1 2 z2 2 z1
P%t
2

P%r + = P%i
2 2 z2
but → ∞ so
z2 z1
z1
Oelze ECE/TAM 373 Notes - Chapter 5 pg 5
 P%r = P%i
2 2
which is true so energy is conserved.

z2
Case 5: → 0 that is, z 2 << z1
z1
 z2 
 − 1
% z 2 − z1  z1 
R= = → −1 P%r = − P%i
z 2 + z1  z 2 
 + 1
 z1 
z 
2 2 
T% = =  1  → 0 P%t = 0
2 z2 z
z1 + z2  z2 
 +1
 z1 
All energy reflected at boundary and reflected wave is completely out of phase with incident wave
(think rigid end for a string). Medium 2 is easily compressed or rarefied. There is zero pressure
amplitude at surface.

************************* Example 6.2 **************************

Consider what happens at an air/water boundary:
z1 = 415 and z 2 = 1.48 ×106 (MKS rayl)
z 2 − z1 1.48 × 106 − 415
R= = = 0.99944
z 2 + z1 1.48 ×10 6 + 415
2 z2 2 (1.48 ×106 )
T= = = 1.99944
z1 + z2 415 + 1.48 ×106
Why can’t you hear people if you are underwater and they are above the water talking to you?

********************************************************************

************************* Example 6.3 **************************

Consider what happens at a water/air boundary
z1 = 1.48 ×10 6 and z 2 = 415 (MKS rayl)
z 2 − z1 415 − 1.48 × 106
R= = = −0.99944
z 2 + z1 415 + 1.48 × 106
2 z2 2 ( 415)
T= = = 0.00056
z1 + z2 1.48 × 106 + 415
Also called a “pressure release” boundary.

********************************************************************

Oelze ECE/TAM 373 Notes - Chapter 5 pg 6

 z2
Let’s examine the pressure distribution in Medium 1 when → 0 that is, z 2 << z1 for which ,
z1
then, P%r = − P%i and P%t = 0
Medium 1 Medium 2
pi
pr pt

% j (ω t−k 1x )
pi ( x, t ) = Pe
i

%
p ( x , t ) = P e j(ωt +k1 x )
r r

ω 2π f 2π
where again k1 = = = .
c1 c1 λ1
The instantaneous acoustic pressure in Medium 1 is going to be the sum of the incident and
reflected waves (assuming CW):

p1 ( x, t ) = pi ( x, t ) + pr ( x, t ) = Pe %i j( ωt − k1 x ) + P%r e j(ωt +k1 x )

%i j( ωt −k1 x ) − Pe
= Pe %i j(ωt + k1 x) = Pe
% jωt {−2 j sin ( k x )}
i 1

% jω t {−2 j sin ( k x )}
Thus, p1 ( x, t ) = Pe 1

The magnitude as a function of position of the acoustic pressure in Medium 1 is:

p1 ( x , t ) = Pmax sin ( k1 x )
P%i j (ω t−k 1x )
pi ( x, t )
ui ( x , t ) = =
e
ρ1c1 ρ1c1
p ( x, t ) P%
ur ( x, t ) = − r = − r e j( ωt + k1 x )
ρ1c1 ρ1c1

Giving for the instantaneous particle velocity in Medium 1 is:

P%i j(ωt − k1x ) P%r j(ωt +k1 x ) P%

u1 ( x, t ) = ui ( x, t ) + ur ( x, t ) =
ρ1c1
e −
ρ1 c1
e = i e jωt e j k1x + e − jk1 x
ρ1c1
( )
P% 2P%
= i e jω t {2cos ( k1x )} = i e jω t cos ( k1x )
ρ1c1 ρ1c1
2P%
Thus, u1 ( x, t ) = i e jω t cos ( k1x )
ρ1c1

Oelze ECE/TAM 373 Notes - Chapter 5 pg 7

The magnitude as a function of position of the particle velocity in Medium 1 is:
u1 ( x , t ) = U max cos ( k1 x )

Therefore,
p1 ( x , t ) = Pmax sin ( k1 x )
u1 ( x , t ) = U max cos ( k1 x )

Let’s examine the spatial behavior of sin ( k1x ) and cos ( k1x ) .
sin ( k1x ) = 0 when k1x = 0, π , 2π ,..., nπ , n = 0,1, 2,..
nπ nπ c1 n πc1 λ
so x= = = =n 1
k1 ω 2π f 2

π 3π 5π mπ
cos ( k1x ) = 0 when k1x =
, , ,..., , m = 1,3,5,..
2 2 2 2
mπ mπ c1 m πc1 λ
so x= = = =m 1
2k1 2ω 4π f 4
z
Therefore, for 2 → 0
z1
|p(x,t)| |u(x,t)|
|umax|
|pmax|

λ/2 x=0

z2
What would this plot look like if →∞ ?
z1
Now let’s look at what happens when some energy is transmitted into Medium 2. If any energy is
transmitted into Medium 2, then the minimums of the acoustic pressure spatial distribution in
Medium 1 are non-zero. Let’s thus consider the spatial distribution of pressure only in Medium 1.
Pmax

Pmin
λ/2 x=0
Note that from Pi + Pr = Pt , if Pt ≠ 0 and Pi ≥ Pr , then Pi > P%r . So,
% % % % % % %
P = P% + P%
max i r

Pmin = P%i − P%r

where Pmax > Pmin
If P%r = 0 , then Pmax = Pmin

Oelze ECE/TAM 373 Notes - Chapter 5 pg 8

Thus, there are minima but not nulls. The Standing Wave Ratio (SWR) is defined as:
P%r
1+
Pmax P%i + P%r P%i
SWR = = =
Pmin P%i − P%r P%r
1−
P%i
Now recall that
P%r 1+ R
=R → SWR =
P% i
1− R
Solving for R gives
SWR − 1 z2 − z1
R= =
SWR + 1 z 2 + z1

z2
Consider the 5 cases again: 1) z 2 = z1 , 2) z 2 > z1 , 3) z 2 < z1 , 4) → ∞ that is, z 2 >> z1 , 5)
z1
z2
→ 0 that is, z 2 << z1 .
z1

z −z
Case 1: z 2 = z1 , P%r = 0 , R = 2 1 = 0
z 2 + z1
1+ R
SWR = =1
1− R
Pmax = Pmin

P%r z −z
Case 2: z 2 > z1 , >0, R = 2 1 >0
%
Pi z 2 + z1
1+ R
SWR = >1
1− R
Pmax > Pmin

P%r z −z
Case 3: z 2 < z 1 , <0, R = 2 1 <0
%
Pi z 2 + z1
1+ R
SWR = >1
1− R
Pmax > Pmin

Oelze ECE/TAM 373 Notes - Chapter 5 pg 9

  z2 
 − 1
z 2 − z1  z1 
P%r = P%i
z2
Case 4: →∞ R= = → +1
z1 z 2 + z1  z 2 
 + 1
 z1 
1+ R
SWR = →∞
1− R
Pmin → 0
 z2 
 − 1
z 2 − z1  z1 
P%r = − P%i
z2
Case 5: →0 R= = → −1
z1 z 2 + z1  z 2 
 + 1
 z1 
1+ R
SWR = →∞
1− R
Pmin → 0

Note ranges: −1 ≤ R ≤ 1 , 1 ≤ SWR < ∞

Let’s examine the transfer of energy from Medium 1 to Medium 2

Recall that we defined the Intensity Reflection Coefficient
Reflected Intensity I r
RI = =
Incident Intensity I i
and the intensity Transmission Coefficient
Transmitted Intensity I t
TI = =
Incident Intensity Ii
p2
In general, for a plane progressive wave, I = so
2ρc
 pr2 
 
P%r
2 2
I r  2 ρ1c1  pr2 2  z2 − z1 
RI = = = 2 = % = R = 
I i  pi2  pi Pi  z2 + z1 
 
 2 ρ1c1 
and
 pt2 
 
ρ1c1 P%t
2 2
It  2 ρ 2c2  ρ1c1 pt2 z z 2 z2 4z1z 2
TI = = = = = 1 T = 1 =
2

Ii  pi 2
ρ2c2 pi 2
ρ2c2 P%i z2 z2 z1 + z2 ( z1 + z 2 )
2

 
 2 ρ1c1 
2
 z2 − z1  4 z1z2 z22 − 2 z1 z2 + z12 + 4 z1z 2 z22 + 2 z1z2 + z12
Note that: RI + TI =   + = = =1
 z2 + z1  ( z1 + z 2 ) ( z 2 + z1 ) ( z2 + z1 )
2 2 2

Oelze ECE/TAM 373 Notes - Chapter 5 pg 10

Let’s next define the Power Reflection Coefficient
ReflectedPower Ar I r Ar
Rπ = = = RI
IncidentPower Ai I i Ai
where A represents the cross sectional area of the beam (reflected, incident or transmitted).

The Power Transmission Coefficient is then

TransmittedPower At I t At
Tπ = = = TI
Incident Power Ai I i Ai

For normal incidence, Ai = Ar = At so

Ar A
Rπ = RI = r R = R
2 2

Ai Ai
A A ρc ρc
Tπ = t TI = t 1 1 T = 1 1 T
2 2

Ai Ai ρ 2c2 ρ 2c2

Since RI + TI = 1 , then Rπ + Tπ = 1 for normal incidence.

Summary for normal incidence for the 5 cases considered

1) z 2 = z1
R =0 RI = 0 Rπ = 0
T =1 TI = 1 Tπ = 1
SWR = 1
2) z 2 > z1
0 < R <1 0 < RI < 1 0 < Rπ < 1
1< T<2 0 < TI < 1 0 < Tπ < 1
1 < SWR < ∞
3) z 2 < z1
−1 < R < 0 0 < RI < 1 0 < Rπ < 1
0 < T <1 0 < TI < 1 0 < Tπ < 1
1 < SWR < ∞
z2
4) →∞
z1
R →1 R I →1 Rπ → 1
T →2 TI → 0 Tπ → 0
SWR → ∞
z
5) 2 → 0
z1
R → −1 R I →1 Rπ → 1
T →0 TI → 0 Tπ → 0
SWR → ∞

Oelze ECE/TAM 373 Notes - Chapter 5 pg 11

*************************** Example 6.4 ***************************

Reflection at soft tissue interfaces within the human body

Take z1 = (1010)(1540) = 1.555x106 rayl (liver-like tissue)

z2 = (999)(1500) = 1.499x106 rayl (fat-like tissue)

z 2 − z1 1.499 − 1.555 −0.056

R= = = = −0.018
z 2 + z1 1.499 + 1.555 3.054
RI = R 2 = 0.00034 or only approximately 0.03% of the incident energy is reflected

Check:
4 z1z 2 4(1.555)(1.499) 9.324
TI = = = = 0.99966
( z 2 + z1) (1.499 + 1.555)
2 2 2
(3.054)
and RI + TI = 1.00000 as expected
So in medical imaging we are often just imaging the reflection from different tissue surfaces which
are pretty closely matched in impedance and therefore not much reflected energy. Yet, it works
really well.

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Oelze ECE/TAM 373 Notes - Chapter 5 pg 12