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2012 Vol.31, Issue 2 Preview Page
Between Invention and Discovery: A. G. Bell’s Photophone and Photoacoustic Research
Ja Hyon Ku1*
1University College of Undeclared Majors, Youngsan University
*Corresponding Author
28 February 2012. pp. 73-78
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Abstract

The photophone, Alexander Graham Bell’s device for transmitting sound through light was patented in 1880. It included the transmitter modulating and reflecting strong light like sunlight to a distant receiver which produced sound. In this working of the photophone, the discovery of the sound-emitting effect under illumination was very essential. Longing for being famous in the scientific community, Bell focused on presenting various methods for producing sounds and for maximizing the loudness by performing intensive research on the photoacoustic effect. Bell’s scientific research on photoacoustics was successful in establishing himself as a scientist and laid a foundation of photoacoustic analysis. And his invention became a basis for other researchers’ subsequent technologies like fiber-optic communication.

Keywords
Sound
transmission
light
Bell
photophone
photoacoustic effect
References
1
A. G. Bell, "Apparatus for Signaling and Communi-cating, Called Photophone," U. S. Patent No. 235, 199, 1880.
2
R. V. Bruce, Bell: Alexander Graham Bell and the Conquest of Solitude, Cornell University Press, Ithaca, 1990.
3
L. Coe, The Telephone and Its Several Inventors: A History, McFarland, Jefferson, 1995.
4
A. G. Bell and S. Tainter, "Selenium Cell," U. S. Patent No. 235,497, 1880.
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A. G. Bell, "Upon the Production of Sound by Radiant Energy," The National Academy of Sciences, pp. 2-4, April 21, 1881.
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A. G. Bell, Upon the Production of Sound by Radiant Energy, Gibson Brothers, Washington D. C. 1881.
10.1016/0016-0032(81)90005-3
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Information
  • Publisher :The Acoustical Society of Korea
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국음향학회
  • Journal Title :The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
  • Journal Title(Ko) :한국음향학회지
  • Volume : 31
  • No :2
  • Pages :73-78
  • Received Date : 2011-12-08
  • Revised Date : 2012-01-26
  • Accepted Date : 2012-02-01
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