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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Blandin, Remi, Laabs, Martin, von Bunau, Rudolf, Lloyd, Bryn, Farcito, Silvia, Nikolayev, Denys, Hossu, Gabriela, Birkholz, Peter, Plettemeier, Dirk
Format: Preprint
Published: 2026
Subjects:
Online Access:https://arxiv.org/abs/2604.19362
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author Blandin, Remi
Laabs, Martin
von Bunau, Rudolf
Lloyd, Bryn
Farcito, Silvia
Nikolayev, Denys
Hossu, Gabriela
Birkholz, Peter
Plettemeier, Dirk
author_facet Blandin, Remi
Laabs, Martin
von Bunau, Rudolf
Lloyd, Bryn
Farcito, Silvia
Nikolayev, Denys
Hossu, Gabriela
Birkholz, Peter
Plettemeier, Dirk
contents This study experimentally validates a numerical model of electromagnetic propagation through the human head during the pronunciation of different vowels, with the goal of improving our understanding of the underlying physical phenomena. A realistic finite element model was created from magnetic resonance images acquired while pronouncing the vowels /a/, /i/, and /u/. The model was validated against scattering matrix measurements obtained from two subjects whose geometries were modeled. Despite several potential sources of discrepancy, the simulations and measurements showed good qualitative agreement, confirming the validity of the approach. Similar transmission coefficient patterns were observed across subjects for the same vowels. Within the investigated frequency range of (1-6 GHz), the electric field exhibited a Mie scattering pattern. Local minima and maxima in the transmission coefficient, characterizing different articulatory configurations, were correlated with local variations in the electric field amplitude. The transmission coefficient's shape results from an interplay between resonance patterns and antenna placement, while the degree of mouth opening influences the shape of scattering modes. Although technically challenging, this numerical approach proved effective for studying electromagnetic propagation in the human head. The resulting robust numerical model and improved understanding of the underlying physics are expected to facilitate the development of radio-frequency-based silent speech interfaces.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2604_19362
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Articulatory movements influence electromagnetic wave transmission through the vocal tract
Blandin, Remi
Laabs, Martin
von Bunau, Rudolf
Lloyd, Bryn
Farcito, Silvia
Nikolayev, Denys
Hossu, Gabriela
Birkholz, Peter
Plettemeier, Dirk
Applied Physics
This study experimentally validates a numerical model of electromagnetic propagation through the human head during the pronunciation of different vowels, with the goal of improving our understanding of the underlying physical phenomena. A realistic finite element model was created from magnetic resonance images acquired while pronouncing the vowels /a/, /i/, and /u/. The model was validated against scattering matrix measurements obtained from two subjects whose geometries were modeled. Despite several potential sources of discrepancy, the simulations and measurements showed good qualitative agreement, confirming the validity of the approach. Similar transmission coefficient patterns were observed across subjects for the same vowels. Within the investigated frequency range of (1-6 GHz), the electric field exhibited a Mie scattering pattern. Local minima and maxima in the transmission coefficient, characterizing different articulatory configurations, were correlated with local variations in the electric field amplitude. The transmission coefficient's shape results from an interplay between resonance patterns and antenna placement, while the degree of mouth opening influences the shape of scattering modes. Although technically challenging, this numerical approach proved effective for studying electromagnetic propagation in the human head. The resulting robust numerical model and improved understanding of the underlying physics are expected to facilitate the development of radio-frequency-based silent speech interfaces.
title Articulatory movements influence electromagnetic wave transmission through the vocal tract
topic Applied Physics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2604.19362