Influence of the thickness of multilayer matching systems on the transfer function of ultrasonic airborne transducer

The effective ultrasonic energy radiation into the air of piezoelectric transducers requires using multilayer matching systems with accurately selected acoustic impedances and the thickness of particular layers. This problem is of particular importance in the case of ultrasonic transducers working at a frequency above 1 MHz. Because the possibilities of choosing material with required acoustic impedance are limited (the counted values cannot always be realised and applied in practice) it is necessary to correct the differences between theoretical values and the possibilities of practical application of given acoustic impedances. Such a correction can be done by manipulating other parameters of matching layers (e.g. by changing their thickness). The efficiency of the energy transmission from the piezoceramic transducer through different layers with different thickness enabling a compensation of non-ideal real values by changing their thickness was computer analysed. The result of this analysis is the conclusion that from the technological point of view a layer with defined thickness is easier and faster to produce than elaboration of a new material with required acoustic parameter.     

Influence of acoustic impedance of multilayer acoustic systems on the transfer function of ultrasonic airborne transducers

In different solutions of ultrasonic transducers radiating acoustic energy into the air there occurs the problem of the proper selection of the acoustic impedance of one or more matching layers. The goal of this work was a computer analysis of the influence of acoustic impedance on the transfer function of piezoceramic transducers equipped with matching layers. Cases of resonance and non-resonance matching impedance in relation to the transfer function and the energy transmission coefficient for solid state-air systems were analysed. With stable thickness of matching layers the required shape of the transfer function can be obtained through proper choice of acoustic impedance were built (e.g. maximal flat function). The proper choice of acoustic impedance requires an elaboration of precise methods of synthesis of matching systems. Using the known matching criteria (Chebyshev's, DeSilets', Souquet's), the transfer function characteristics of transducers equipped with one, two, and three matching layers as well as the optimisation methods of the energy transmission coefficient were presented. The influence of the backside load of the transducer on the shape of transfer function was also analysed. The calculation results of this function for different loads of the transducer backside without and with the different matching layers were presented. The proper load selection allows us to obtain the desired shape of the transfer function, which determines the pulse shape generated by the transducer.     

Fabrication and comparison of PMN-PT single crystal, PZT and PZT-based 1-3 composite ultrasonic transducers for NDE applications

This paper describes fabrication and comparison of PMN-PT single crystal, PZT, and PZT-based 1-3 composite ultrasonic transducers for NDE applications. As a front matching layer between test material (Austenite stainless steel, SUS316) and piezoelectric materials, alumina ceramics was selected. The appropriate acoustic impedance of the backing materials for each transducer was determined based on the results of KLM model simulation. Prototype ultrasonic transducers with the center frequencies of approximately 2.25 and 5 MHz for contact measurement were fabricated and compared to each other. The PMN-PT single crystal ultrasonic transducer shows considerably improved performance in sensitivity over the PZT and PZT-based 1-3 composite ultrasonic transducers.     

Vibration amplitude and induced temperature limitation of high power air-borne ultrasonic transducers

The acoustic impedances of matching layers, their internal loss and vibration amplitude are the most important and influential parameters in the performance of high power airborne ultrasonic transducers. In this paper, the optimum acoustic impedances of the transducer matching layers were determined by using a genetic algorithm, the powerful tool for optimizating domain. The analytical results showed that the vibration amplitude increases significantly for low acoustic impedance matching layers. This enhancement is maximum and approximately 200 times higher for the last matching layer where it has the same interface with the air than the vibration amplitude of the source, lead zirconate titanate-pizo electric while transferring the 1 kW is desirable. This large amplitude increases both mechanical failure and temperature of the matching layers due to the internal loss of the matching layers. It has analytically shown that the temperature in last matching layer with having the maximum vibration amplitude is high enough to melt or burn the matching layers. To verify suggested approach, the effect of the amplitude of vibration on the induced temperature has been investigated experimentally. The experimental results displayed good agreement with the theoretical predictions.     

Influence of the thickness of matching layers on narrow band transmitter ultrasonic airborne transducers with frequencies <100 kHz: Application of a genetic algorithm

The acoustic impedances of matching layers and their thicknesses are the most important and influential parameters in the performance of airborne ultrasonic transducers. In this paper, the optimum thicknesses of the matching layers of the narrow band transmitter ultrasonic transducer regarding transmission coefficient were determined by individual calculations using a genetic algorithm. The genetic algorithm was chosen because it is a powerful tool in the optimization domain. The results show that the permitted thickness variation is 0.0005% for one matching layer, and this value can be increased to 0.0031%, which corresponds to the permitted thickness variation for five matching layers. Approximately 55% enhancement in the transmission coefficient is theoretically possible, and 42% enhancement was observed experimentally when the genetic algorithm was applied to calculate the matching layer thicknesses in place of the quarter wavelength equation that is conventionally used for the determination of layer thickness. To verify our approach, the effect of the thickness variation on the transmission coefficient has been investigated experimentally for three, four and five matching layers. The experimental results displayed good agreement with the theoretical predictions.     

Ultrasonic transducers working in the air with the continuous wave within the 50-500 kHz frequency range

Transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves in the air requires high standards of both the transmitters and the receivers of these waves. The paper presents the results of measurements of ultrasonic signals generated by ultrasonic transducers of mean power working with the continuous wave, designed for operating in the air at the frequencies between 50 and 500 kHz. The characteristic feature of these transducers is their high effectiveness and sensitivity, which are necessary for working in the transmission system. Directional characteristics' measurements and the measurements of the acoustic field in the air enabling its visualization on different planes were done on specially built research setups. The results of the measurements of these transducers' admittance were also presented. Because of the forecast applications of these transducers for examining ultrasonic signals transmitted in the air by materials with different degrees of porosity, obtaining the high energy of the generated ultrasonic wave is necessary. This was possible thanks to applying layers of acoustic impedance Z approximately (0.2/1.0)x10(6) kg/(m2 s) matching the high impedance of ceramics with the low impedance of air. The designed and produced transducers had the normalized diameter of D=38 mm and worked at frequencies within the ranges of f=50, 200, 350 and 500 kHz.     

超声换能器辐射特性的优化*

匹配层和背衬层是换能器的重要组成部分,对换能器特性有重要影响。针对发射型换能器,基于有/无匹配层和空气/树脂背衬两种条件组合,该文研究了匹配层与背衬层对换能器辐射特性的影响。结果表明,负载材料为水时,空气背衬换能器相较于树脂背衬换能器声能辐射效率更高;匹配层可以提高换能器的主瓣能量,抑制旁瓣能量及旁瓣数量。因此,针对发射型换能器的设计,背衬材料的选择应遵循与压电材料的阻抗差异越大越优的原则;匹配层的合理设计不仅可以提高超声换能器的声能辐射效率,还可以提高主瓣旁瓣峰值比,使声能更集中。     

厚度模压电超声换能器无源声学材料研究进展*

厚度模压电超声换能器作为超声波发射、接收以及电信号间转换的载体,是超声成像与检测系统的核心器件,一般由压电层、匹配层和背衬层3部分组成。超声换能器的性能一定程度上决定着整体超声设备的性能,影响了其在工业、医学、军事等领域的应用。该换能器的关键性能指标(带宽、灵敏度)除了受到压电层的影响,还与匹配层、背衬层等无源声学材料的设计密切相关。该文综述了近年来厚度模压电超声换能器无源声学材料(匹配层、背衬层和声透镜)的研究进展,提出了当前该类材料面临的难题和解决途径,并对其未来发展方向进行了展望。     

Ferroelectret non-contact ultrasonic transducers

Dielectric and electromechanical properties of the cellular polypropylene ferroelectret films (EMFIT), combining strong piezoelectric response with a low density and softness, evidence their high potential for the air-coupled ultrasonic applications. The disadvantage of the low coupling factor is compensated by the extremely low acoustic impedance, which provides excellent matching to air and promises efficient sound transmission through the air–transducer interface. The influence of the electrodes on the electromechanical properties was investigated. Electron beam evaporation technology was adapted to the EMFIT films, and films with both-sided Au and Al electrodes were prepared without reducing or suppressing of the electromechanical properties. Finally, prototype transducers based on the EMFIT films were developed. In spite of the simple construction and absence of matching layers, high sensitivity of the EMFIT transducers was proved in the air-coupled ultrasonic experiment. Amplitude and delay time scanned images of the polyethylene step wedge with holes, obtained in both pulse-echo and transmission modes, demonstrate that non-contact ultrasonic imaging and testing with EMFIT transducers is possible. PACS 43.35.+d; 43.38.+n; 43.35.Zc; 43.38.-p     

Microfabrication of stacks of acoustic matching layers for 15 MHz ultrasonic transducers

This paper presents a novel method used to manufacture stacks of multiple matching layers for 15 MHz piezoelectric ultrasonic transducers, using fabrication technology derived from the MEMS industry. The acoustic matching layers were made on a silicon wafer substrate using micromachining techniques, i.e., lithography and etch, to design silicon and polymer layers with the desired acoustic properties. Two matching layer configurations were tested: a double layer structure consisting of a silicon–polymer composite and polymer and a triple layer structure consisting of silicon, composite, and polymer. The composite is a biphase material of silicon and polymer in 2-2 connectivity. The matching layers were manufactured by anisotropic wet etch of a (1 1 0)-oriented Silicon-on-Insulator wafer. The wafer was etched by KOH 40 wt%, to form 83 μm deep and 4.5 mm long trenches that were subsequently filled with Spurr’s epoxy, which has acoustic impedance 2.4 MRayl. This resulted in a stack of three layers: The silicon substrate, a silicon–polymer composite intermediate layer, and a polymer layer on the top. The stacks were bonded to PZT disks to form acoustic transducers and the acoustic performance of the fabricated transducers was tested in a pulse-echo setup, where center frequency, −6 dB relative bandwidth and insertion loss were measured. The transducer with two matching layers was measured to have a relative bandwidth of 70%, two-way insertion loss 18.4 dB and pulse length 196 ns. The transducers with three matching layers had fractional bandwidths from 90% to 93%, two-way insertion loss ranging from 18.3 to 25.4 dB, and pulse lengths 326 and 446 ns. The long pulse lengths of the transducers with three matching layers were attributed to ripple in the passband.     

Modelling of a novel high-impedance matching layer for high frequency (>30 MHz) ultrasonic transducers

This work describes a new approach to impedance matching for ultrasonic transducers. A single matching layer with high acoustic impedance of 16 MRayls is demonstrated to show a bandwidth of around 70%, compared with conventional single matching layer designs of around 50%. Although as a consequence of this improvement in bandwidth, there is a loss in sensitivity, this is found to be similar to an equivalent double matching layer design. Designs are calculated by using the KLM model and are then verified by FEA simulation, with very good agreement Considering the fabrication difficulties encountered in creating a high-frequency double matched design due to the requirement for materials with specific acoustic impedances, the need to accurately control the thickness of layers, and the relatively narrow bandwidths available for conventional single matched designs, the new approach shows advantages in that alternative (and perhaps more practical) materials become available, and offers a bandwidth close to that of a double layer design with the simplicity of a single layer design. The disadvantage is a trade-off in sensitivity. A typical example of a piezoceramic transducer matched to water can give a 70% fractional bandwidth (comparable to an ideal double matched design of 72%) with a 3 dB penalty in insertion loss.     

Generation and reception of short acoustic pulses by multilayer piezoelectric transducers

By means of the Fourier transformation, a formula is obtained for calculating the pulse response of a transducer when a square pulse of a given duration is supplied to its input and the excited “sound” is reflected from the free flat end of the acoustic line and returns to the transducer. For a frequency of 100 MHz, real lithium niobate transducers that are connected through intermediate layers to the acoustic line made of fused quartz and to a rear load with a given acoustic impedance are considered. The pulse response is calculated for the transducers with different values of the sublayer thickness, rear acoustic load, transmission line impedance, and original pulse duration. The results of the calculations are compared with the experiment.     

Diffraction aperture non-ideal behaviour of air coupled transducers array elements designed for NDT

Air coupled piezoelectric ultrasonic array transducers are a novel tool that could lead to interesting advances in the area of non-contact laminar material testing using Lamb wave's propagation techniques. A key issue on the development of such transducers is their efficient coupling to air media (impedance mismatch between the piezoelectric material and air is 90 dB or more). Adaptation layers are used in order to attain good matching and avoid possible serious signal degradation. However, the introduction of these matching layers modify the transducer surface behaviour and, consequently, radiation characteristics are altered, making the usual idealization criteria (of uniform surface movement) adopted for field simulation purposes inaccurate. In our system, we have a concave linear-array transducer of 64 elements (electrically coupled by pairs) working at 0.8 MHz made of PZ27 rectangular piezoceramics (15 mm x 0.3 mm) with two matching layers made of polyurethane and porous cellulose bonded on them. Experimental measurements of the acoustic aperture of single excited array elements have shown an increment on the geometrical dimensions of its active surface. A sub-millimeter vibrometer laser scan has revealed an extension of the aperture beyond the supposed physical single array element dimensions. Non-uniform symmetric apodized velocity surface vibration amplitude profile with a concave delay contour indicates the presumed existence of travelling wave phenomena over the surface of the outer array matching layer. Also, asymptotic propagation velocities around 2500 m/s and attenuation coefficient between 15 and 20 dB/mm has been determined for the travelling waves showing clear tendencies. Further comparisons between the experimental measurements of single array element field radiation diagram and simulated equivalent aperture counterpart reveal good agreement versus the ideal (uniform displaced) rectangular aperture. For this purpose an Impulse Response Method (IRM) has been used.     

Loading transducers for non-destructive testing and signal processing by acoustic bulk waves

Non-destructive testing and signal processing with acoustic bulk waves require the use of loaded transducers having a large bandwidth. The technique of loading quartz or ceramic transducers by backing with a material having a relatively large acoustic impedance is well known. A brief review of the methods and results of this classical type of loading is given. Another method of broadening the bandwidth by backing the transducer with one or several metallic layers of variable thickness followed by a semi-infinite medium is then proposed. A brief mention is also given to the technique of matching the backed transducer to the propagating medium. Several practical examples illustrating the use of the methods are given.     

多基元聚焦空气耦合超声换能器*

文中针对空气耦合超声换能器及其在表面缺陷检测中的应用开展了研究。选用1-3型压电复合材料及双匹配层结构来实现超声换能器压电材料与空气之间声阻抗的逐渐过渡,提高压电材料/空气界面的声能量透射率进而提高空气耦合超声换能器的灵敏度。在此基础上研发制作了440 kHz多基元聚焦空气耦合超声换能器,并对其性能进行了测试。其焦距、焦宽及焦深分别为41.44 mm、1.14 mm和20.30 mm,灵敏度和带宽分别为-50 d B和20.2%。测试结果表明该空气耦合超声换能器具有优良的性能,利用该超声换能器可以有效检测材料表面缺陷。     

磁致伸缩超声换能器阻抗匹配网络的设计

根据磁致伸缩超声换能器的等效电路模型和阻抗匹配理论,该文设计了一种优化的π型匹配网络.该网络具有调谐、变阻和滤波的功能,适用于工作在中低频超声频率范围内的磁致伸缩超声换能器系统的阻抗匹配.仿真和实验结果表明:接入该π型阻抗匹配网络后,驱动电源与换能器之间实现了最大功率传输,换能器两端电信号的波形质量得到优化,换能器激励...     

Modeling of functionally graded piezoelectric ultrasonic transducers

The application of functionally graded material (FGM) concept to piezoelectric transducers allows the design of composite transducers without interfaces, due to the continuous change of property values. Thus, large improvements can be achieved, as reduction of stress concentration, increasing of bonding strength, and bandwidth. This work proposes to design and to model FGM piezoelectric transducers and to compare their performance with non-FGM ones. Analytical and finite element (FE) modeling of FGM piezoelectric transducers radiating a plane pressure wave in fluid medium are developed and their results are compared. The ANSYS software is used for the FE modeling. The analytical model is based on FGM-equivalent acoustic transmission-line model, which is implemented using MATLAB software. Two cases are considered: (i) the transducer emits a pressure wave in water and it is composed of a graded piezoceramic disk, and backing and matching layers made of homogeneous materials; (ii) the transducer has no backing and matching layer; in this case, no external load is simulated. Time and frequency pressure responses are obtained through a transient analysis. The material properties are graded along thickness direction. Linear and exponential gradation functions are implemented to illustrate the influence of gradation on the transducer pressure response, electrical impedance, and resonance frequencies.     

Optimization of ultrasonic transducers

The so-called KLM-model for ultrasonic transducers is employed to optimize transducer design. Some new performance characteristics are defined which change monotonically with design parameters. These characteristics are based on the area of the envelope of the echo waveform produced by the transducer and of the corresponding amplitude spectrum. The efficiency of the transducer is defined by the round trip energy factor. The performance characteristics are used in a composite performance measure, which is then employed as a criterion in the optimization procedure. Two transducers are investigated: for medical imaging purposes and for spectral analysis of clinical echograms. The influence of electrical matching, backing impedance, matching layer impedance, bond line thickness and series induction on the optimized transducers is investigated.     

Piezoelectric transducer vibrations in a one-dimensional approximation

Summary The theory of piezoelectric transducer vibrations, which may be treated as onedimensional, is developed in detail for thin discs vibrating in a pure thickness extensional mode. An effort has been made to obtain relations of general validity, which include losses, and which are in a simple explicit form convenient for practical calculations. The behaviour of transducers is discussed with special attention to their characteristics at the two fundamental frequencies, the so-called parallel and series resonances. Several peculiarities occur when transducers are coupled to media with considerably different acoustic impedances. These peculiarities are discussed and illustrated by numerical results for quartz and PZT 4 piezoelectric discs radiating into water, air and liquid hydrogen. The application of the theory to different types of vibrations is briefly illustrated for thin bars vibrating longitudinally. Short discussions are included on compound transducer systems, and on the properties of thin discs as receivers.     

空心聚合物微珠/环氧树脂复合材料匹配层空耦式压电换能器

研制了一种厚度模空耦式压电换能器,使用综合考虑材料衰减系数和声阻抗的空耦式压电换能器电力声等效电路理论模型以指导匹配层结构设计和材料选择,选用新型的空心聚合物微珠/环氧树脂复合材料作为声匹配材料,优化设计电阻抗匹配及结构参数。该换能器中心频率为510 kHz,-6 dB频域相对带宽为25.4%,插入损耗为-27 dB。结果表明,使用新型低衰减系数的闭孔复合材料单匹配层设计的该换能器不仅保证了高灵敏度,同时简化了换能器结构,为空耦式压电换能器研制提供了新思路。