Pyroelectric ultrasound sensor model: directional response. (11th December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kaupinmäki, Santeri; Cox, Ben; Arridge, Simon; Baker, Christian; Sinden, David; Zeqiri, Bajram
• Is Part Of: Measurement science & technology. Volume 32:Number 3(2021)
• Publication Date: 2020-12-11
• Subjects: pyroelectricity -- directional response -- ultrasound sensor -- numerical model -- directionality; Physical measurements -- Periodicals; Scientific apparatus and instruments -- Periodicals; Equipment and Supplies -- Periodicals; Science -- instrumentation -- Periodicals; Technology -- instrumentation -- Periodicals; Mesures physiques -- Périodiques; Physical measurements; Scientific apparatus and instruments; Periodicals; 502.87
• DOI: 10.1088/1361-6501/abc866
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0957-0233

Abstract

Abstract: Ultrasound is typically measured using phase-sensitive piezoelectric sensors. Interest in phase-insensitive sensors has grown recently, with proposed applications including ultrasound attenuation tomography of the breast and acoustic power measurement. One advantage of phase-insensitive detectors, in contrast to conventional phase-sensitive detectors, is that they do not suffer from a narrow directional response at high frequencies due to phase cancellation. A numerical model of a phase-insensitive pyroelectric ultrasound sensor is presented. The model consists of three coupled components run in sequence: acoustic, thermal, and electrical. The acoustic simulation models the propagation and absorption of the incident ultrasound wave. The absorbed acoustic power density is used as a heat source in the thermal simulation of the time-evolution of the temperature in the sensor. Both the acoustic and thermal simulations are performed using the k-Wave MATLAB toolbox with an assumption that shear waves are not supported in the medium. The final component of the model is a pyroelectric circuit model which outputs the sensor response based on the temperature change in the sensor. The modelled pyroelectric sensor response and directional dependence are compared to empirical data.