Physical source realization of complex source pulsed beams

Complex source pulsed beams (CSPB) are exact wave-packet solutions of the t ime-dependent wave equation that are modeled mathematically in terms of rad iation from a pulsed point source located at a complex space-time coordinat e. In the present paper, the physical source realization of the CSPB is exp lored. This is done in the framework of the acoustic field, as a concrete p hysical example, but a similar analysis can be applied for electromagnetic CSPB. The physical realization of the CSPB is addressed by deriving exact e xpressions for the acoustic source distribution in the real coordinate spac e that generates the CSPB, and by exploring the power and energy flux near these sources. The exact source distribution is of finite support. Special emphasis is placed on deriving simplified source functions and parametrizat ion for the special case where the CSPB are well collimated. (C) 2000 Acous tical Society bf America. [S0001 -4966(00)00804-3].