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Abstract

A method and device for detecting a narrow acoustic spectral feature in a sample as described. The method uses an electrical frequency modulated (FM) signal that is obtained from a voltage controlled oscillator. The Fourier spectrum of this wave is a main frequency f.sub.c with two small sidebands at frequencies f.sub.c .+-.f.sub.s. This whole triplet is slowly swept in frequency by a slow sawtooth generator. The electrical signal is fed into a flat acoustic transducer; the acoustic wave is then transmitted through an acoustically active medium, i.e. the sample, and detected by another flat acoustic transducer which produces an FM signal with a superposed amplitude modulated (AM) signal if one of the sidebands overlaps an acoustic feature. This electrical signal is then demodulated to give a pure AM signal which can be phase sensitive detected by using a lock-in amplifier. By suitable adjustment of the phase setting of the lock-in amplifier both the 'in-phase' and 'out-of-phase' signals of the detected acoustic signal can be detected.

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First Claim