Simulation and experimental study of the influence of a front face layer on the response of ultrasonic transmitters

Using a theoretical model, we simulate the ultrasonic pressure generated by a piezoelectric transmitter whose active element has its front face perfectly connected to a layer with parallel faces. This simulation takes into consideration the characteristic parameters of the piezoelectric ceramic, the layer and the propagation medium.Verification of the validity of the model is carried out by assessing, qualitatively and quantitatively, theoretical and experimental responses obtained with different values of layer thickness. Having correctly verified the model solely by simulation, we examine the influence of the nature of the layer on the transmitter response and give an energetics interpretation of the results. We conclude that by using a simple theoretical model, we may forecast the experimental response of a transducer which has a front face layer.