Nonlinear dynamics and chaos in parametric sound generation

A theoretical analysis of the subharmonic generation process in an acoustical resonator (interferometer) with plane walls is performed. It is shown that, when both the pumping wave and the generated subharmonic are detuned with respect to the resonator modes, the fields can display complex temporal behaviour such as self-pulsing and chaos. A discussion about the acoustical parameters required for the experimental observation of the phenomenon is given.