ABSTRACT
In the paper, Absolute Pressure Calibrations of Microphones, Richard K. Cook provided both theoretical and practical understanding of these new techniques. By rigorous, systematic experimental work and analysis, he demonstrated the weaknesses of certain older, previously dominant methods. Then, by comparing results from these older methods with those of the new reciprocity techniques, he established the superiority of the latter. Reciprocity techniques were soon employed in critical inter-laboratory comparisons, which quickly led to the elevation of these techniques to their dominant status as the preferred method in primary acoustical calibrations and measurements of sound pressure. The electrostatic actuator attempts to apply a known source of equivalent sound pressure to the electrically conductive diaphragm of a microphone. This device uses an electrically conductive plate (usually slotted or perforated) to which an alternating voltage is applied relative to the microphone diaphragm.
