Overview

The investigation of nonlinear phenomena in acoustics has a rich history stretching back to the mechanical physical sciences in the nineteenth century. The study of nonlinear phenomena, such as explosions and jet engines, prompted the sharp growth of interest in nonlinear acoustic phenomena. In this book, the authors consider models of different "acoustic" media as well as equations and behavior of finite-amplitude waves. The authors also consider the effects of nonlinearity, dissipation, dispersion, and for two- and three-dimensional problems, reflection and diffraction on the evolution and interaction of acoustic beams. This book will be of interest not only to specialists in acoustics, but also to a wide audience of mathematicians, physicists, and engineers working on nonlinear waves in various physical systems.