An Experimental Study of the Special Aspects of Scalar-Vector Sound Field Spatial Structures in the Shallow Sea Area

Abstract

This paper discusses the results of an experimental study of the spatial structure of a scalar-vector sound field formed during towing of a low-frequency acoustic source on the continental shelf of the Sea of Japan. Methodologically, the experiment was carried out by towing the acoustic source emitting a 134 Hz tone signal at a depth of 20 m on various acoustic paths at distances of up to 10 km from the combined receiving system, which consisted of a sound pressure receiver and three orthogonal sound pressure gradient components. Particular attention was paid to the investigation of the interference structure of scalar and vector fields in controlled hydrological conditions. The quantitative characteristics and features of the formation of signal interference at several depths along the tracks are discussed. The most interesting are the unique results of comparing horizontal and vertical field components, which make it possible to identify the presence of vortex structures in the acoustic source field on several tracks. The possibility of practical application of current research results is analyzed.

Keywords

• interference
• towed low-frequency acoustic source
• combined receiver
• vector-phase sound fields
• shallow sea