A Toolbox for Computing Backscatter Target Strength of Bubbles in High-Frequency Underwater Sound Fields

Accurate modeling of acoustic scattering from underwater gas bubbles is essential for interpreting sonar signals in environments containing hydrocarbon seeps, methane plumes, and aquatic bubbly flows. However, theoretical models—though well-established—are often fragmented across the literature and difficult to implement consistently for practical sonar applications, specifically for high frequency applications. To address this, a standalone computational toolbox has been developed for calculating the target strength (TS) of individual gas bubbles across low to high frequencies ranging from 1 to 1250 kHz, while replicating realistic fluid thermophysical properties as functions of depth, temperature, and salinity. Implemented in Python, the toolbox offers both command-line and script-based interfaces. It integrates key physical formulations, including resonance frequency models, damping mechanisms, and scattering cross-section calculations, all tailored for single-bubble analysis. Users can easily modify scripts and parameters, making the framework adaptable for specific use cases or extended studies. Its accessible structure makes it suitable for both exploratory research and integration into acoustic sensing workflows.