High power ultrasound standard

A sensitive radiation force balance for laboratory measurement of ultrasonic power is presented. The principle of the system is based on measuring the ultrasonic radiation force exerted on a conical float suspended in water. Technical details of the implementation of the economically attractive system are described. The operation of the system is automated with the aid of the IEEE-488 bus and a desktop computer. Design aspects that affect measurement uncertainty are investigated. A theoretical model for the measurement of ultrasonic power with a conical reflector target is discussed. The expanded uncertainty (95% confidence level) of the above radiation force conical float system is estimated to be between 5% to 10%.