The authors report families of generalized nondiffracting solutions of the free-space scalar wave equation, and specifically, a subset of these nondiffracting solutions, which are called X waves. These nondiffracting X waves can be almost exactly realized over a finite depth of field with finite apertures and by either broadband or bandlimited radiators. With a 25-mm diameter planar radiator, a zeroth-order broadband X wave will have about 2.5-mm lateral and 0.17-mm axial -6-dB beam widths with a -6-dB depth of field of about 171 mm. A zeroth-order bandlimited X wave was produced and measured in water by a 10 element, 50-mm diameter, 2.5-MHz PZT ceramic/polymer composite J/sub 0/ Bessel nondiffracting annular array transducer with -6-dB lateral and axial beam widths of about 4.7 mm and 0.65 mm, respectively, over a -6-dB depth of field of about 358 mm. Possible applications of X waves in acoustic imaging and electromagnetic energy transmission are discussed.
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