Laser Interferometer Measurements of the Viscoelastic Properties of Tectorial Membrane Mutants
Abstract
The visco-elastic properties of the tectorial membrane (TM) can be determined by measuring the propagation velocity of travelling waves over a range of frequencies. This study presents a new method using laser interferometry and compares the TM's material properties (sheer storage modulus, G' and viscosity, η) at basal and apical locations in wild-type mice and basal locations of three mutant groups (TectaY1870C/+, Tectb-/- and Otoa-/-). The G' and η values calculated for the wild-type mice are similar to estimates derived using other methods whereas the mutant groups all exhibit slower wave propagation velocities and reduced longitudinal coupling.
- Publication:
-
What Fire is in Mine Ears: Progress in Auditory Biomechanics
- Pub Date:
- November 2011
- DOI:
- 10.1063/1.3658122
- Bibcode:
- 2011AIPC.1403..419J
- Keywords:
-
- sound propagation;
- interferometers;
- frequency measurement;
- hearing;
- 43.20.Bi;
- 07.60.Ly;
- 43.66.Fe;
- 43.80.Lb;
- Mathematical theory of wave propagation;
- Interferometers;
- Discrimination: intensity and frequency;
- Sound reception by animals: anatomy physiology auditory capacities processing