Novel multi-layer-composites design for ultrasonic transducer applications. (1st August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lin, Pengfei; Zhang, Lin; Fei, Chunlong; Li, Di; Wu, Runcong; Chen, Qiang; Hou, Chenxue; Yang, Yintang
• Is Part Of: Composite structures. Volume 245(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-08-01
• Subjects: Multi-layer-composites -- Ultrasonic transducer -- Theoretical computation -- PZFlex; Composite construction -- Periodicals; Composites -- Périodiques; 624.18
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compstruct.2020.112364
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0263-8223

Abstract

Highlights: Breaking the sensitivity limit of 1–3 composites. A physical model is proposed, which matches the simulation and experimental results. A model is proposed for semi-quantitative calculation of the sensitivity of multi-composites. Abstract: High quality ultrasonic transducers require high sensitivity and broad bandwidth to achieve high contrast and high spatial resolution ultrasonic imaging. Multi-layer-composites transducers were proposed, which facilitated high sensitivity and broad bandwidth. Multi-layer-composites were designed by W.A. Smith theory, simulated using finite element analysis based PZFlex software and fabricated using dice and fill method. 5 MHz transducers were fabricated and both electrical and acoustic properties of the transducers were characterized systematically. The multi-layer-composites transducers have a little larger center frequency (5.03 MHz), similar −6 dB bandwidth (40.6%) and a much higher peak-to-peak voltage (166.18 mV) compared to large pitch 1–3 composites transducers (4.605 MHz, 38.9%, and 98.74 mV, respectively) and small pitch 1–3 composites transducers (4.695 MHz, 46.6%, and 88.2 mV, respectively). These results suggest that multi-layer-composites have great potential in ultrasonic transducer applications. A theory was proposed to approximate the sensitivity, which has potential in guiding the design of multi-layer-composites transducers.