Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor includes: a first electrode that is provided in an ultrasonic microphone including a vibration element having a function of performing conversion between mechanical vibration and an electrical signal; a second electrode that is provided at a position different from the first electrode in an in-plane direction intersecting a directional axis of the ultrasonic microphone; and a detection section that is provided to detect the presence or absence of attached matter attached to the ultrasonic sensor on the basis of a change in capacitance between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: An ultrasonic includes: a piezoelectric layer; an absorbing layer disposed at a lower portion of the piezoelectric layer, configured to absorb an acoustic signal; and a connection part disposed between the piezoelectric layer and the absorbing layer. The connection part may deform at least partially so that a plurality of acoustic signals radiated from the piezoelectric layer due to the connection part have different magnitudes. In the case of the ultrasonic probe, since the magnitude of the acoustic energy radiated from the center of the ultrasonic probe is larger than the magnitude of the acoustic energy radiated from the side of the ultrasonic probe, the directivity of the ultrasonic signal is improved and a side lobe is decreased. In addition, an apodization effect capable of suppressing overlapping between adjacent phases can be obtained by using a difference in the magnitude of the acoustic energy to be radiated.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a precursor dispenser for dispensing a precursor material into a workspace, one or more acoustic sources configured to direct acoustic waves towards the workspace to provide acoustic fields that arrange the precursor material in a three-dimensional shape in the workspace, one or more sensors configured to detect a distribution of the precursor material in the workspace, and an electronic controller in communication with the precursor dispenser, the one or more acoustic sources, and the one or more sensors, the electronic controller being programmed to cause the one or more acoustic sources to adjust the acoustic fields to reduce deviations in the distribution of the precursor material from the three-dimensional shape in the workspace.

Abstract: Embodiments of a dermatological cosmetic treatment and/or imaging system and method adapted for dithering ultrasound beams from a transducer to alter placement and position of one or multiple cosmetic treatment zones in tissue, simultaneous multi-focus therapy using multi-channel signal mixing, and/or dithering ultrasound beams from a transducer to alter placement and position of one or multiple cosmetic treatment zones in tissue, configured for using imaging for improved ultrasound therapy efficacy, and/or adapted for imaging with multiple focal zone sequencing and triggering for mechanically translated and/or steered ultrasound transducers are provided herein. The system can include a hand wand, a removable transducer module, and a control module. In some embodiments, the cosmetic treatment system may be used in various cosmetic procedures.

Abstract: Bending mode transducers are provided including a substrate made of a high density material, the substrate having a first surface and a second surface, opposite the first surface. A piezoelectric layer is provided on the first surface of the substrate and at least one patterned electrode is provided on the piezoelectric layer. A mounting block is on the at least one patterned electrode at least one electrical contact point is provided on the first surface of the substrate remote from the at least one patterned electrode. Related devices and methods are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a display device and a sensing method, and more specifically, to a complex sensing device, a display device and a sensing method comprising: a touch panel on which a plurality of touch electrodes is disposed, a fingerprint panel on which a plurality of pixels is disposed, a touch circuit sensing the touch panel and outputting first sensing data, a fingerprint circuit sensing a fingerprint sensing area of the fingerprint panel and outputting second sensing data, and a sensing controller setting the fingerprint sensing area for enabling the fingerprint circuit to sense the fingerprint panel based on the first sensing data of the touch circuit.

Abstract: A phased array of ultrasonic transducers may create arbitrary fields that can be utilized to manipulate fluids. This includes the translation of drops on smooth surfaces as well speeding the evaporation of fluids on wetted hands. Proposed herein is the use airborne ultrasound focused to the surface of the hand. The risk is that coupling directly into the bulk of the hand may cause damage to the cellular material through heating, mechanical stress, or cavitation. Using a phased array, the focus may be moved around, thus preventing acoustic energy from lingering too long on one particular position of the hand. While some signaling may penetrate into the hand, most of the energy (99.9%) is reflected. Also disclosed are methods to couple just to the wetted surface of the hand.

Abstract: The construction has two piezoelectric transducers with radiating apertures shaped as sections of spherical surface one is concave, the second is convex, of sufficient wave sizes D/?>10, where D is the diameter of the aperture, ? is the wavelength of the emitted pump signal). For each piezoelectric transducers radii of curvature R0, focal lengths F0 and focal spots radii r0 with a wave length of radiated signal are the same and are related by r0×R0=0.61×?×F0. Piezoelectric transducers with radiating apertures shaped as sections of spherical surface are provided with shielding elements, hydro-, electric- and noise insulation and one of them with convex aperture is made with an open axial hole with radius r=(2÷3)×r0 in the central part of the convex spherical surface of the aperture.

Abstract: A flexible vibration module is disclosed. The flexible vibration module includes a piezoelectric composite layer, including: a plurality of piezoelectric portions each having a piezoelectric characteristic, where at least two of the plurality of piezoelectric portions have different sizes; and a flexible portion between the plurality of piezoelectric portions.

Abstract: Assemblies for an ultrasonic probe and manufacturing methods are presented. In one example, the method includes additively forming first portions of the assembly using a first material with first acoustic properties and second portions of the assembly using a second material with second acoustic properties, the first and second acoustic properties being configured to modify ultrasonic signals of the ultrasonic probe. In another aspect, a housing for an ultrasonic probe is presented. The housing includes additively-formed portions, a fluid channel, and at least one cavity. The first additively-formed portions include a first material with first acoustic properties. The second additively-formed portions include a second material with second acoustic properties. The first and second acoustic properties are configured to modify ultrasonic signals of the ultrasonic probe. The fluid channel is for receiving fluid within the housing of the ultrasonic probe.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein generally relate to forming a conductive layer of an ultrasound probe. The systems and methods form an ultrasound probe that includes a piezoelectric layer, and first and second matching layers. The first matching layer is interposed between the second matching layer and the piezoelectric layer. The second matching layer formed from a material having a select acoustic impedance from a laser activated molded interconnect device (MID) or a three-dimensional printer. The second matching layer being electrically coupled to the piezoelectric layer.

Abstract: A system for sensing a target in a region of interest (ROI) includes a coded compressive antenna (CCA) to generate an EM field codified in multiple dimensions. One or more receivers receives EM energy reflected by the target, and produces reflection information corresponding to the reflected energy. A compressive sensing imaging processor analyzes reflection information to generate an image representing the target. The CCA may use a distorted reflector, a vortex lens, and/or meta-materials to codify the EM field in multiple dimensions. The system may evaluate a sensing matrix that characterizes the transmission channel and the codified EM field. The system configures the CCA to produce a coded EM field enhances certain sensing matrix singular values, with respect to an EM field produced by a non-codified antenna. The sensing system provides increased target sensitivity while reducing false detections.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a single element ultrasound transducer. In one embodiment, the ultrasound transducer comprises: a piezoelectric layer, a matching layer, one surface of the matching layer is electrically coupled to a top surface of the piezoelectric layer and another surface of the matching layer forms a signal pad within a front face of the ultrasound transducer, and a base package electrically coupled to a bottom surface of the piezoelectric layer, the base package extending horizontally and laterally to form a back face of the ultrasound transducer parallel to the front face of the ultrasound transducer, and extending vertically relative to the back face of the ultrasound transducer to form a ground pad within the front face of the ultrasound transducer. In this way, the transducer can work robustly and may be automatically mounted to a flat substrate with printed circuit.

Abstract: A force-sensing tip assembly for a catheter comprises a tip shell, an acoustic transducer, a first target, and a first spring. The tip shell is for joining to the catheter. The acoustic transducer is disposed within the tip shell and is capable of generating an acoustic ping. The first target is spaced from the acoustic transducer within the tip shell. The first spring is in the tip shell and configured to allow a relative position between the acoustic transducer and the first target to change over a range. The first target is shaped and positioned to reflect at least a portion of the acoustic ping back to the acoustic transducer as a first echo over at least a portion of the range.

Abstract: An ultrasound unit includes an ultrasound array that has a plurality of ultrasound elements, each of which has a first principal surface that is rectangular where a transmitting and receiving portion, a signal electrode terminal, and a ground electrode terminal are arranged in a longer side direction, longer sides of the ultrasound elements being coupled, one or more short-lines that are connected to a plurality of ground electrode terminals, a ground line that is connected to the short-line, and a plurality of signal lines, each of which is connected to one of the signal electrode terminals, and adjoining ultrasound elements of the ultrasound elements are coupled such that the signal electrode terminals are arranged alternately on opposite sides in the longer side direction of the transmitting and receiving portions that are rectangular.

Abstract: A transducer positioning device and a system for employing a transducer positioning device are used to determine and monitor fluid levels in a pressurized beverage keg that has a dip tube. One fluid is a liquid beverage. The other fluid is a compressed gas injected to push the beverage up through the dip tube. Each embodiment of the positioning device generally includes an acoustic transducer and a transducer support, and often includes a base. Other embodiments may include an angled adapter for the transducer and a prop and/or wheels for the base. Each embodiment of the system generally includes the transducer positioning device, a transceiver, software, and a graphic user interface, as well as wiring and a medium for data transmission. Other embodiments include at least one other electronic controller. The above may also be embodied as kits and methods.

Abstract: A probe includes: a piezoelectric layer to generate ultrasonic waves, a backing layer to absorb ultrasonic waves generated at the piezoelectric layer and proceeding toward a rear, a reflective layer occupying an area smaller than an area of the piezoelectric layer and provided in between the piezoelectric layer and the backing layer to amplify the ultrasonic waves generated at the piezoelectric layer, and a lens layer to focus the ultrasonic waves proceeding toward a front of the piezoelectric layer at a certain point.

Abstract: Embodiments of a Bulk Acoustic Wave (BAW) device including a high conductivity electrode are disclosed. In some embodiments, a BAW device includes a piezoelectric layer, a first electrode on a first surface of the piezoelectric layer, and a second electrode on a second surface of the piezoelectric layer opposite the first electrode. The second electrode includes a first metal layer and a second metal layer. The second metal layer is on the second surface of the piezoelectric layer, and the first metal layer is over a surface of the second metal layer opposite the piezoelectric layer, where the first metal layer is separated from the second metal layer by an air gap. By including the air gap, the thickness of the first metal layer (e.g., a high conductivity layer) can be increased to thereby increase the electrical conductivity of the second electrode while maintaining the performance of the BAW device.

Abstract: A backing block for an ultrasonic transducer array stack of an ultrasound probe is formed as a composite structure of graphite foam impregnated with an epoxy resin. The epoxy resin penetrates the porous foam structure at least part-way into the depth of the graphite foam block and, when cured, provides the backing block with good structural stability. The composite graphite foam backing block is bonded to the integrated circuit of a transducer to provide high thermal conductivity away from the transducer and good acoustic attenuation or scattering of rearward acoustic reverberations.

Abstract: A protection member is arranged such that the distance from an opening plane of a reception guide to the center of the protection member is half of the distance from the opening plane of the reception guide to the surface of a reception vibration member. In other words, the arrangement position of the protection member is in the center between the opening plane of the reception guide and the surface of the reception vibration member. Accordingly, even if a protection member is arranged, a transmission coefficient is obtained that is equal to a transmission coefficient in the case where no protection member is present.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a probe device includes a portion having a curved surface and a plurality of tiles variously coupled to the curved surface. The tiles each include a plurality of piezoelectric transducer elements and a base adjoining and supporting the plurality of piezoelectric transducer elements. The probe device further comprises curved lens portions each coupled to a respective one of the plurality of tiles, wherein for each of the tiles, the plurality of piezoelectric transducer elements of the tile are to propagate a wave toward the respective curved lens portion. In another embodiment, the probe device further comprises a sheath material surrounding the curved lens portions.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe apparatus and an ultrasonic imaging apparatus are disclosed. The ultrasonic probe apparatus includes: an ultrasonic transducer configured to output an electrical signal upon receiving ultrasonic waves; a sound absorption unit, one surface of which is an installation surface of the ultrasonic transducer and is electrically connected to the ultrasonic transducer; a first electronic circuit electrically connected to the sound absorption unit; and a substrate connection unit disposed between the sound absorption unit and the first electronic circuit, configured to electrically interconnect the first electronic circuit and the sound absorption unit. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus includes the above ultrasonic probe and a main body.

Abstract: A single crystal acoustic electronic device. The device has a substrate having a surface region. The device has a first electrode material coupled to a portion of the substrate and a single crystal capacitor dielectric material having a thickness of greater than 0.4 microns and overlying an exposed portion of the surface region and coupled to the first electrode material. In an example, the single crystal capacitor dielectric material is characterized by a dislocation density of less than 1012 defects/cm2. A second electrode material is overlying the single crystal capacitor dielectric material.

Abstract: An ultrasound inspection roller provided with a wheel, a sensing system and a support for holding the sensing system inside the wheel, a wedge connected to the ultrasound sensing system at one end and provided with a curved profile at its other end facing the wheel, adapted to the curvilinear shape of the wheel, and a liquid of a density higher than 9.9*102 kg/mm3 placed inside the wheel such that the sensory system, the wheel and the wedge are acoustically coupled. The roller allows the early detection of problems during manufacturing of composites and the performance of corrective measures in real time, and assures a good coupling between the transducers and the material to be inspected in dry conditions.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer device includes a substrate on which a plurality of openings are arranged; a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements, each of the ultrasonic transducer elements being provided to each of the openings of the plurality of openings, on a first surface of the substrate; and a member fixed to a second surface of the substrate, which is a surface on the opposite side of the first surface of the substrate. Provided to the member are a plurality of first groove sections, and a second groove section for bundling together the plurality of the first groove sections.

Abstract: A method of determining a spatial and temporal pressure distribution profile on an outer surface of a rotating apparatus includes producing one or more pressure indications in response to pressure applied to the outer surface of the rotating apparatus. The producing is carried out by a transducer assembly embedded within the rotating apparatus at a distance d from the outer surface of the rotating apparatus. The method further includes sampling, by an acquisition assembly, the one or more pressure indications from the transducer assembly and storing the sampled one or more pressure indications. The method also includes processing the one or more pressure indications to produce the pressure distribution profile describing the pressure applied to the outer surface.

Abstract: Provided is an ultrasonic device including: an ultrasonic element array substrate having a plurality of ultrasonic elements that each include a piezoelectric body; an acoustic lens secured via an acoustic matching layer to a surface, formed with the ultrasonic elements, of the ultrasonic element array substrate; and a support member secured to a surface, opposite to the surface formed with the ultrasonic elements, of the ultrasonic element array substrate, wherein the support member is formed to have a larger area, in plan view in the thickness direction of the ultrasonic element array substrate, and a higher bending stiffness than the ultrasonic element array substrate, and the acoustic lens is formed to have a lower bending stiffness than the ultrasonic element array substrate. The above-described ultrasonic device further includes an acoustic matching layer filled between the ultrasonic element array substrate and the acoustic lens.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer, an ultrasonic probe, and an ultrasound image diagnosis apparatus include a plurality of piezoelectric elements arranged in at least one column; individual electrodes provided on at least one surface of top and bottom surfaces of each of the piezoelectric elements; side electrodes extending toward one side surfaces of the piezoelectric elements from the individual electrodes; and a side electrode substrate including wiring lines that are bonded to the one side surfaces of the piezoelectric elements and are electrically connected to the side electrodes, respectively.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ultrasound probe including a piezoelectric device which transmits and receives ultrasound, n layers of acoustic matching layers provided on a front side of the piezoelectric device, n layers meaning two layers or more, an acoustic lens which is provided on a front side of the acoustic matching layers and an acoustic reflecting layer which is provided on a back side of the piezoelectric device.

Abstract: Provided is a wireless power transmission apparatus. The apparatus includes an ultrasound transmitter generating an ultrasound signal in response to an external source voltage and transmitting the generated ultrasound signal to a medium layer and an ultrasound receiver receiving the ultrasound signal through the medium layer and converting the received ultrasound signal into a driving voltage. The ultrasound transmitter and receiver are manufactured to control impedance values thereof to be matched with each other and a distance between the ultrasound transmitter and receiver is controlled according to predetermined distance conditions.

Abstract: Elements of a single beam-forming array of ultrasonic transducer elements are selectively activated to direct two or more ultrasonic beams to a series of acoustic mirrors mounted to or fabricated at known locations at an inside surface of the pipe. The ultrasonic beams traverse measurement path segments at known angles through a fluid flowing through the pipe before being received back at the single transducer array. Fluid flow velocity along the fluid flow path is calculated as a function of a difference in time-of-flight (TOF) along first and second ultrasonic beam paths after subtracting TOF components contributed by known-length non-measurement path segments. The difference in TOF results from an additive downstream fluid flow velocity vector component along a first measurement path segment and a subtractive upstream fluid flow velocity vector component along a second measurement path segment.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer for an ultrasonic flow measuring device, comprising a first housing part having an ultrasonic window and adjoining, rotationally symmetric walls, wherein there adjoins on the walls of the first housing part, coaxially with the walls of the first housing part, a first ring as resonator, which forms an end of the first housing part.

Abstract: In a representative embodiment, a bulk acoustic wave (BAW) resonator comprises: a cavity provided in a first layer and having a perimeter bordering an active region of the BAW resonator, a distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) bordering the cavity, wherein the first layer is one of the layers of the DBR; a first electrode disposed over the substrate; a first piezoelectric layer disposed over the first electrode; a second electrode disposed over the first piezoelectric layer; a second piezoelectric layer disposed over the second electrode; a third electrode disposed over the second piezoelectric layer; and a bridge disposed between the first electrode and the third electrode.

Abstract: A system for delivering light and/or ultrasound across a skin surface is provided. The system includes a device having a layered structure comprising one or both of a light source and an ultrasonic transducer. The light source comprises a flexible light emitter layer electrically coupled to a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer, wherein at least one of the first and second conductive layers is transparent. The ultrasonic transducer comprises a flexible ultrasound emitter layer electrically coupled to a third conductive layer and a fourth conductive layer. The system also includes one or more sensors in contact with the skin surface and a controller electrically coupled to the device and the sensor. The controller is operable to receive sensor data from the sensor and dynamically control the device in response to the received sensor data.

Abstract: A piezoceramic pulse-echo acoustic transducer includes protection layers for the piezoceramic that are tuned to the piezoceramic so as to optimize pulse-echo signal response (i.e. greater output signal bandwidth and increased return signal sensitivity). The protection layers are tuned to the piezoceramic via material selection and thickness. The acoustic transducer has a backing, a piezoceramic adjacent the backing, an intermediate protection layer adjacent the piezoceramic, and a front protection layer adjacent the intermediate protection layer and opposite the piezoceramic. The front and intermediate protection layers are tuned to the piezoceramic via their acoustic impedance such that the acoustic impedance of the intermediate layer is greater than the acoustic impedance of the piezoceramic and of the front protection layer. The acoustic impedance of the front protection layer is less than the acoustic impedance of the piezoceramic.

Abstract: Embodiments of thermal-acoustic sections for an aircraft for reducing noise along an acoustic path produced from an acoustic source are provided herein. The thermal-acoustic section comprises a first porous layer having a first characteristic acoustic impedance. A second porous layer is disposed adjacent to the first porous layer and has a second characteristic acoustic impedance that is greater than the first characteristic acoustic impedance. The thermal-acoustic section is configured to be positioned along the acoustic path such that at least a portion of the noise from the acoustic source is directed through the first porous layer to the second porous layer to promote absorption of the noise.

Abstract: A parking sensor device has a casing, a front cover, a sensor module and an assembling clamp. The casing has two first hooking elements. The front cover is mounted on the casing. The sensor module is mounted in the casing and the front cover. The assembling clamp detachably engages the casing and has two second hooking elements. The second hooking elements selectively hook the first hooking elements of the casing respectively. The casing and the assembling clamp are engaged quickly with each other, thereby facilitating the easy fabrication of the parking sensor device and improving the convenience of maintenance of the parking sensor device.

Abstract: An ultrasonic device includes a substrate having a first opening, a second opening and a wall part partitioning the first opening and the second opening; a first vibration film and a second vibration film which close the first opening and the second opening respectively; a first piezoelectric element and a second piezoelectric element which are formed on surfaces of the first vibration film and the second vibration film opposite to the substrate; an acoustic matching layer which is disposed within the first opening and the second opening so as to come into contact with the first vibration film and the second vibration film.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer includes an acoustic layer that includes a micromachined piezoelectric composite body having a front side and an opposite back side. The micromachined piezoelectric composite body is configured to convert electrical signals into ultrasound waves to be transmitted from the front side toward a target. The micromachined piezoelectric composite body is configured to convert received ultrasound waves into electrical signals. A dematching layer is connected to the back side of the micromachined piezoelectric composite body of the acoustic layer. The dematching layer has a higher acoustic impedance than an acoustic impedance of the acoustic layer.

Abstract: In one aspect, matching layers for an ultrasonic transducer stack having a matching layer comprising a matrix material loaded with a plurality of micron-sized and nano-sized particles. In another aspect, the matrix material is loaded with a plurality of heavy and light particles. In another aspect, an ultrasound transducer stack comprises a piezoelectric layer and at least one matching layer. In one aspect, the matching layer comprises a composite material comprising a matrix material loaded with a plurality of micron-sized and nano-sized particles. In a further aspect, the composite material can also comprise a matrix material loaded with a plurality of heavy and light particles. In a further aspect, a matching layer can also comprise cyanoacrylate.

Abstract: The ultrasonic probe comprises an ultrasonic transducer section in which a plural of ultrasonic transducers arranged in a row in the scanning direction, an acoustic lens and a low attenuation medium, and further comprises a probe shell housing the ultrasonic transducer section, acoustic lens, and low attenuation medium. In the probe shell, the low attenuation medium is located at the top end (contact surface with a subject to be examined) of the ultrasonic probe, and the low attenuation medium, acoustic lens, and ultrasonic transducer section are located in order. In this way, the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer section are converged by the acoustic lens and transmitted outside the probe shell through the low attenuation medium. The reflection waves from the subject to be examined are received by the ultrasonic transducer section through the low attenuation medium.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a piezoelectric element includes a process for forming a first conductive layer, a process for forming a piezoelectric layer having a region serving as an active region, a process for forming a second conductive layer, which overlaps with the region, a process for forming a third conductive layer, which overlaps with the region, on the second conductive layer, a process for forming an opening portion that divides the third conductive layer into a first portion and a second portion, a process for forming a resist layer that covers the opening portion and a peripheral portion at the side of the opening portion of the first portion and the second portion; a process for etching the third conductive layer to form a first conductive portion and a second conductive portion, and a process for etching the second conductive layer to form a third conductive portion.

Abstract: The invention may be embodied as an ultrasonic plane wave generator having a first sheet of piezoelectric material and a second sheet of piezoelectric material. A shared electrode may be between the first sheet and the second sheet. A first electrode set may have a plurality of electrodes, and these electrodes may be positioned with respect to the first sheet to form a set of wave generators. A wave generator in this first wave generator set may include the shared electrode, the first sheet, and one of the electrodes in the first electrode set. A second electrode set may have a plurality of electrodes, and these electrodes may be positioned with respect to the second sheet to form another set of wave generators. A wave generator in this second wave generator set may include the shared electrode, the second sheet, and one of the electrodes in the second electrode set.

Abstract: An acoustic resonator comprises a first electrode and second electrode comprising a plurality of sides. At least one of the sides of the second electrode comprises a cantilevered portion. A piezoelectric layer is disposed between the first and second electrodes. An electrical filter comprises an acoustic resonator.

Abstract: A method and system for ultrasound treatment are provided. Acoustic energy, including ultrasound, can serve as input energy to a mask with apertures, such apertures acting as secondary acoustic sources to create a modulated output acoustic energy in a treatment region and treatment effects. Under proper control output energy can be precisely placed and controlled in tissue. In some embodiments, methods and systems are configured for ultrasound treatment based on creating an output energy distribution in tissue. In some embodiments, methods and systems are configured based on creating an output temperature distribution in tissue.

Abstract: An acoustic resonator comprises: an acoustic resonator device comprises: a composite first electrode disposed over a substrate, the composite first electrode comprising: a first electrically conductive layer provided over the substrate; a first interlayer disposed on the first electrical conductive layer; a buried temperature compensation layer disposed over the first interlayer; a second interlayer disposed over the temperature compensation layer; a second electrically conductive layer disposed over the second interlayer, a piezoelectric layer disposed over the composite first electrode; and a second electrode disposed over the piezoelectric layer.

Abstract: An acoustic resonator device comprises: a substrate comprising a cavity or an acoustic mirror; a first electrode disposed over the substrate; a piezoelectric layer disposed over the first electrode; and a second electrode disposed over the piezoelectric layer. The first electrode or the second electrode, or both, are made of an electrically conductive material having a positive temperature coefficient.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, the acoustic wave resonator includes a resonator structure having a first electrode, a piezoelectric layer formed on the first electrode, and a second electrode formed on the piezoelectric layer, and a composite layered structure associated with the resonator structure such that the immunity of the acoustic wave resonator to environmental change and aging effects is improved, the trimming sensitivity is substantially minimized, and/or dispersion characteristics of the acoustic wave resonator is optimized.

Abstract: An acoustic wave resonator device comprising a resonant layer that comprises a series of side-by-side areas of first and second dielectric materials. In one embodiment the first dielectric material is a piezoelectric, in particular the first dielectric material can be a piezoelectric and the second dielectric material can be non-piezoelectric. In another embodiment, the first dielectric material is a piezoelectric of first polarity and the second dielectric material is a piezoelectric of opposite polarity or different polarity. Where needed, the resonant layer is supported on a reflector composed of series of layers of high acoustic impedance material(s) alternating with layers of low acoustic impedance material(s). For example, the reflector comprises AlN, Al2O3, Ta2O5, HfO2 or W as high impedance material and SiO2 as low impedance material.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe apparatus and an ultrasonic imaging apparatus are disclosed. The ultrasonic probe apparatus includes: an ultrasonic transducer configured to output an electrical signal upon receiving ultrasonic waves; a sound absorption unit, one surface of which is an installation surface of the ultrasonic transducer and is electrically connected to the ultrasonic transducer; a first electronic circuit electrically connected to the sound absorption unit; and a substrate connection unit disposed between the sound absorption unit and the first electronic circuit, configured to electrically interconnect the first electronic circuit and the sound absorption unit. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus includes the above ultrasonic probe and a main body.