Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship Program |

Abstract
ABOUT URAP:
The Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship Program (URAP), managed by the Army Research
Office (ARO), is an Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) that matches talented college
students and with practicing scientists and engineers in Army-sponsored university/college
research laboratories throughout the country. The primary objective of the URAP program is to
provide a mechanism to expose new students to research opportunities in the sponsored
laboratory. URAP apprentices develop skills in Army critical science and engineering research
areas to prepare them for the next steps of their educational and professional career.
Student Name: Jonathan Curole
University Student Attends: At time of URAP Louisiana State University ; Now Indiana
University
University of URAP Apprenticeship: Louisiana State University
Mentor(s): Dr. Jonathan Dowling
Project Title: Sonic band structure in fluids with periodic density variations
Abstract:
In direct analogy to the electronic band structure found in semiconductors and the photonic bands
for light in a medium with a periodic dielectric constant, a periodic density variation in a fluid can
give rise to sonic frequency passbands and band gaps. Hence, a fluid medium can be constructed
that prohibits sound propagation at certain frequencies while allowing practically free propagation
at others. The effect of a sonic band medium on a monopole acoustic source is discussed in a
simple onedimensional model. In particular, the complete quenching of radiated power is seen for
a harmonic radiator at a frequency that corresponds to a band gapin analogy with a similar effect
that is predicted for the atomic emission of electromagnetic waves in a photonic band structure.
The ability to construct a medium that selectively prohibits sound propagation and emission in a
certain range of frequencies, while allowing transmission and enhanced radiation rates at others,
could have interesting practical applications.

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