Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging system has a bias-switchable, ultrasonic transducer array and a bipolar voltage source. The array has a dielectric layer having a top surface and a bottom surface; top and bottom electrode strips in electrical contact with the top and bottom surface of the dielectric layer, the bottom electrode strips being oriented at a non-zero angle relative to the top electrode strips. There is an acoustic matching layer or multiplicity of matching layers on the front-side of the array and a leakage-current mitigation layer. The bipolar voltage source is connected to each of the top and bottom electrode strips to induce a polarization in the dielectric layer, the bipolar voltage source being capable of switching between a high voltage state and a low voltage state. A controller controls the bipolar voltage source, and pulsing to and receiving signals from the top and bottom electrode strips.

Abstract: A transparent ultrasound transducer has a transparent substrate and a transparent transducer structure. The transducer structure has a bottom electrode, a top electrode electrically insulated from the bottom electrode, and an array of acoustically active elements within a separating layer between the top electrode and the bottom electrode. The top electrode and bottom electrode have a conductive transparent material. One or both of the top electrode and the bottom electrode have a composite layer made from the conductive transparent material and a supplemental material that has a greater conductivity of the conductive transparent material. A majority of an area of the composite layer comprises the conductive transparent material.

Abstract: An optical system has a first electrode, and an optical element suspended above the first electrode. The optical element is flexible and comprises a second electrode. An optical element support rigidly supports an outer perimeter of the optical element above the first electrode. A voltage source applies a potential difference between the first electrode and the second electrode, the potential difference causing the optical element to flex and adjust a focal zone of the optical element. An optical source generates a beam. A lens focuses the beam to a lens focal zone in which the beam has a beam width, the beam at the beam width being incident on the optical element.