Abstract: A technology is disclosed which provides an array scanning type ultrasound probe capable of preventing a diminution of ultrasound of a piezoelectric device at the time of transmission and at the time of reception due to its damage and thereby reducing a sensitivity deterioration of a diagnostic image. According to the technology, included are an electroacoustic conversion unit formed by arranging multiple piezoelectric devices and multiple acoustic matching layers in a predetermined direction, each of the multiple piezoelectric devices being an electroacoustic conversion device, the multiple acoustic matching layers being respectively stacked on the multiple piezoelectric devices; and a signal flexible board transferring electric signals to be transmitted to and received from the multiple piezoelectric devices.

Abstract: A system and method for removing unwanted heat generated by a piezoelectric element of an ultrasound transducer. Some implementations have high thermal conductivity (HTC) material placed adjacent to the piezoelectric element. The HTC material can be thermally coupled to one or more heat sinks. Use of HTC material in conjunction with these piezoelectric element surfaces is managed to avoid degradation of propagating acoustic energy. Use of the HTC material in conjunction with heat sinks allows for creation of thermal paths away from the piezoelectric element. Active cooling of the heat sinks with water or air can further draw heat from the piezoelectric element. Further implementations form a composite matrix of thermally conductive material or interleave thermally conductive layers with piezoelectric material.

Abstract: Provided are a piezoelectric acoustic transducer and a method of fabricating the same. In the piezoelectric acoustic transducer, a piezoelectric portion is formed in a portion of a diaphragm, and a deformation layer is formed in another portion of the diaphragm. Deformation of the piezoelectric portion is transferred to the deformation layer, or deformation of the deformation layer is transferred to the piezoelectric layer so that the deformation layer vibrates with the piezoelectric layer.

Abstract: Ultrasound transducers and methods of making ultrasound transducers with improved thermal characteristics are provided. An ultrasound transducer can include: a backing, a piezoelectric element attached to the backing, a first matching layer attached to the piezoelectric element, and a second matching layer attached to the first matching layer. The first matching layer can comprise metal and can have a thermal conductivity of about greater than 30 W/mK. The second matching layer can have a thermal conductivity of about 0.5-300 W/mK. The first matching layer can have an acoustic impedance of about 10-20 MRayl, and the second matching layer can have a lower acoustic impedance. The first matching layer can be thicker than the second matching layer. The ultrasound transducer can include a lens and a matching layer disposed between the piezoelectric element and the lens can be configured to conduct heat from the piezoelectric element to the backing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a piezoelectric sensor that can reduce spurious vibration of a transducer. The piezoelectric sensor includes a transducer which has a piezoelectric body and a vibration plate and which transmits/receives ultrasound, and a mount supporting the transducer near nodes of mechanical vibration generated to the transducer. The mount includes ribs that contact the transducer near the nodes of vibration in a point by point, line by line or partially plane by plane contact manner to support the transducer, and retract portions which are provided side by side to respective ribs near the nodes of vibration and which are distant from the transducer so as not to support the transducer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for making a thermoacoustic device. The method includes the following steps. A substrate with a surface is provided. A plurality of microspaces is formed on the surface of the substrate. A sacrifice layer is fabricated to fill the microspaces. A metal film is deposited on the sacrifice layer, and the sacrifice layer is removed. A signal input device is provided to electrically connect with the metal film.

Abstract: A transducer array assembly includes a support structure having a plurality of predetermined openings therein for accommodating transducer components. Flexible circuits are embedded in the support structure. Each flexible circuit has first ends being positioned in the support structure predetermined openings. Terminal blocks are joined to the second ends. Transducer elements are positioned in the support structure predetermined openings and placed in electrical communication with the flexible circuit first ends. A polymer material is provided surrounding the transducer elements, said support structure, and said flexible circuit first ends. There is also provided a method for manufacturing the transducer array.

Abstract: An acoustic power generator and a method for manufacturing the same. The method comprises steps of: measuring a sonic frequency of a sound wave; determining a phononic crystal and a resonant cavity according to the measured sonic frequency; and determining at least a piezoelectric material according to the measured sonic frequency and installing the piezoelectric material inside the resonant cavity.

Abstract: An acoustic transducer includes a first driving unit group including at least one electrode and a second driving unit group including at least one electrode. The first driving unit group is driven at a first phase, and the second driving unit group is driven at a second phase that is different from the first phase.

Abstract: A transducer 1b comprising a vibrator body 2b for generating and/or receiving acoustic or ultrasonic waves, acoustically coupled to a second part 4 for generating and/or receiving acoustic or ultrasonic waves and, a matching layer 5 coupled to said vibrator body 2 so as, in use, to acoustically match the vibrator body 2b to a medium 6 contacting said matching layer 5.

Abstract: A system for improving the acoustic performance of an ultrasound transducer by reducing artifacts within the acoustic spectrum is disclosed. The system includes an acoustic layer having an array of acoustic elements, a dematching layer coupled to the acoustic layer and having an acoustic impedance greater than an acoustic impedance of the acoustic layer, and an interposer layer coupled to the dematching layer and comprising a substrate and a plurality of conductive element. The interposer layer is formed to have an acoustic impedance lower than the acoustic impedance of the dematching layer. The ultrasound transducer also includes an integrated circuit coupled to the interposer layer and electrically connected to the array of acoustic elements through the dematching layer and the interposer layer.

Abstract: Ultrasound transducers and methods of forming ultrasound transducers are provided. An ultrasound transducer can include an acoustic stack including: a dematching layer and a flexible circuit including a nonconductive layer and a conductive material. The conductive material can include a plurality of substantially parallel strips. Adhesive can be provided between the dematching layer and the flexible circuit such that it contacts the strips of conductive material and portions of the nonconductive layer between the strips of conductive material. A plurality of substantially parallel cuts can extend through the dematching layer, through the adhesive and into the nonconductive layer without cutting into the strips of conductive material. The flexible circuit can include a ground area and the strips of conductive material and cuts can be located thereon. The adhesive can encapsulate each strip of conductive material on three surfaces, including a top surface and two sides of each strip.

Abstract: A lead-free piezoelectric ceramic composition includes a first crystal phase of alkali niobate/tantalate type perovskite oxide having piezoelectric properties and a second crystal phase of A—Ti—B—O composite oxide (where the element A is an alkali metal; the element B is at least one of Nb and Ta; and the contents of the element A, the element B and Ti are not zero). Examples of the second crystal phase are those represented by A1?xTi1?xB1+xO5, and x preferably satisfies 0?x?0.15.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe, in which a thick adhesive layer is not formed directly under the piezoelectric element and the adhesive is prevented from covering an electrode portion of a side face of the piezoelectric element. The ultrasonic probe includes: a main backing material having a curved surface; a flexible auxiliary member having a first surface bonded onto the curved surface of the main backing material by using an adhesive; and an array of piezoelectric elements arranged on a second surface of the flexible auxiliary member, wherein at least one of side edges of a bonding surface between the flexible auxiliary member and the main backing material is formed with a recessed area for allowing the adhesive, which has protruded when bonding the flexible auxiliary member onto the main backing material by using the adhesive, to escape thereinto.

Abstract: There is provided a haptic driving assembly capable of providing more uniform haptic feedback, and an electronic device using the same. The haptic driving assembly includes: at least one actuator; and a vibration transferring part disposed to contact at least one surface of the actuator and transferring vibrations generated in the actuator to the outside through a liquid phase medium.

Abstract: A transducer with a closed heat pipe is provided with a hot surface and a cold surface. The hot surface is in contact with the transducer interior and the cold surface is in contact with a cooler contact area. A fluid is used in the pipe which boils at the temperature of the hot surface and condenses at the temperature of the cold surface. A wick inside the heat pipe facilities the return by capillary action of the condensed fluid to the hot end. The heat pipe can be evacuated to adjust the boiling temperature of the fluid. A variant involves drilling additional holes into ceramic rings and inserting heat pipes. Increasing the heat pipe length into the tail mass and the piston increases the cool region for the fluid to condense; thereby improving the performance of the transducer.

Abstract: An example ultrasound device, such as a transducer array, includes a plurality of ultrasound transducers, each ultrasound transducer having a first electrode, a second electrode, a thin piezoelectric film located between the electrodes, and a substrate supporting the plurality of ultrasound transducers. In some examples, the electrode separation is less than 10 microns, facilitating lower voltage operation than conventional ultrasound transducers.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of an ultrasonic probe that has a signal foil made of a copper foil patterned by an additive method is provided. The manufacturing method includes preparing a base material and forming an insulating layer on a surface of the material, patterning the insulating layer by exposure, development, and peeling according to a lithographic technique, forming a cavity reaching an upper surface of the base material in the insulating layer along the patterning, forming a signal foil by performing plating in the cavity in the order of copper plating and solder plating, and demolding the formed signal foil from the cavity.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe including a ceramic layer formed with a plurality of ceramic elements having different thicknesses and an ultrasound system using the same are disclosed. The ultrasound probe for transmitting and receiving ultrasound signals includes at least one transducer element having a ceramic layer, wherein the ceramic layer includes a plurality of ceramic elements having different thicknesses.

Abstract: When a film containing constituent elements of a target is formed on a substrate through a vapor deposition process using plasma with placing the substrate and the target to face each other, a potential in a spatial range of at least 10 mm extending laterally from the outer circumference of the substrate is controlled to be equal to a potential on the substrate, and/or the substrate is surrounded with a wall surface having a potential controlled to be equal to the potential on the substrate.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer (40,70,100) comprises a combined individual die integrated circuit (42,72,102) and an array of acoustic elements (44,74,104) coupled to the combined individual die integrated circuit via an array of flip-chip bumps (46,76,106). The combined individual die integrated circuit includes a first integrated circuit die (48,78,108) aligned with at least one additional integrated circuit die (50,80,(110,112)). In addition, the first integrated circuit die, the at least one additional die integrated circuits, and the array of acoustic elements together form a large aperture transducer array.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for sonication in connection with preparing a cellular sample containing DNA or RNA for performance of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or for other reasons where it is important to break down the cell walls and other cellular structures to release cellular contents including DNA. The same methods and apparatus may be used to release DNA or RNA from virus for PCR or other uses. A novel apparatus which is capable of releasing cellular contents or releasing the DNA or RNA of virus without the aid of beads or chemicals is described herein. The apparatus is designed to deliver high levels of sonic energy through optimizing the geometry the apparatus and optimizing the force created by a piezoelectric transducer. The apparatus is capable of processing samples which are contained within fluid in a short amount of time between 30 seconds and two and one half minutes. The apparatus is small and can be field deployable or used in a standard molecular biology laboratory.

Abstract: A low frequency oscillator includes a plurality of drum-shaped oscillators. Each of the drum-shaped oscillators is constructed so that a pair of disk-shaped flexural vibrators is attached on both open ends of a conductive cylinder so as to be arranged face to face. And a conductive elongated coupling member is fixed to adjacent the drum-shaped oscillators at a central portion thereof so as to electrically connect between adjacent the disk-shaped flexural vibrators and thereby coupling the drum-shaped oscillators along a central axis thereof.

Abstract: A method of producing an ultrasonic probe may include superimposing an ultrasonic wave receiving organic piezoelectric element layer made of an organic material on an ultrasonic wave transmitting inorganic piezoelectric element layer made of an inorganic material, and polarizing the ultrasonic wave receiving organic piezoelectric element layer and the ultrasonic wave transmitting inorganic piezoelectric element layer on a condition that the ultrasonic wave receiving organic piezoelectric element layer is superimposed on the ultrasonic wave transmitting inorganic piezoelectric element layer.

Abstract: A piezoelectric composite micromachined ultrasound transducer including single and multilayer 1-D and 2-D arrays having through-wafer-vias (TWVs) that significantly decreased electrical impedance per element, and hence the improved electrical impedance matching to T/R electronics and improved signal to noise ratio is disclosed. The TWVs facilitate integrated interconnection in single element transducers (positive and negative contact on the same side) and array transducers (contact pads array for integration with T/R switches and/or pre-amplifier circuits).

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, an acoustic wave device includes a substrate, and at least one acoustic wave resonator having a bottom electrode adjacent to the substrate, a top electrode, a piezoelectric layer sandwiched between the bottom and top electrodes, a passivation layer formed on the top electrode, and a mass load layer sandwiched between the substrate and the bottom electrode, or between the bottom electrode and the piezoelectric layer.

Abstract: A thermoacoustic array energy converter consists of heat driven thermoacoustic prime movers in parallel coupled by means of an acoustic cavity to a piezoelectric electrical generator whose output is rectified and fed to an energy storage element. The prime movers convert heat to sound in a resonator. The sound form a phase-locked array is converted to electricity by means of the piezoelectric element. The generated electric energy is converted to DC by means of a rectifier set and it is then stored in a battery or supercapacitor. The generated electric energy can also be converted to power line frequency.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe comprising a transmitting piezoelectric layer, an electrode layer and a receiving piezoelectric layer laminated in that order, the ultrasound probe transmitting and receiving an ultrasound, wherein a polarization treatment on the receiving piezoelectric layer is carried out by providing a peelable dielectric layer on the receiving piezoelectric layer.

Abstract: The electrodes for a CMUT are split to provide separate transmit and receive bias and alternating current electrodes. The transmit electrodes of different elements are interconnected, such as rows sharing bias and columns sharing transmit alternating signals. The bias is used to select an aperture in elevation, and only a sufficient number of transmit beamformer channels to use the selected aperture are needed. On receive, the full multi-dimensional array may be used with integrated beamformer electronics.

Abstract: An electronic radial ultrasonic probe comprising an electronic radial array which comprises a plurality of ultrasonic transducers being continuously arrayed circularly around an insertion axis as center and also for which a transmission/reception of an ultrasonic wave is controlled by electronically selecting the plurality of ultrasonic transducer, comprises: a support member equipped on the electronic radial array; a lock member featured with a cavity in which the support member is inserted and with a lock groove for locking a balloon which is mounted in a manner to cover the electronic radial array and in which an ultrasonic medium is filled; and a filler member which is constituted by an adhesive material converting from a fluid state to a solid state, and is filled in the cavity.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer includes a case having a closed end in the main axis direction, a piezoelectric element located substantially at the center of the closed end of the case, and a body arranged inside the case so as to be opposed to the piezoelectric element. The body has an irregular surface opposed to and spaced from the piezoelectric element.

Abstract: An acoustical stack for use within an ultrasound transducer that has a center frequency has a poled piezoelectric material layer and at least one impedance matching layer. The poled piezoelectric material layer has top and bottom sides and is formed of poled piezoelectric material that has a first acoustic impedance. The poled piezoelectric material layer has a first thickness and the acoustical stack has an output electrical impedance based on the first thickness. The impedance matching layers are configured to be attached to the top and bottom sides of the poled piezoelectric material layer and have second or third thicknesses. The impedance matching layers are formed of one or more materials that have an acoustic impedance substantially similar to the first acoustic impedance. The poled piezoelectric layer and impedance matching layers form an acoustic resonance thickness. The center frequency of the transducer is based on the acoustic resonance thickness.

Abstract: An actuator and a method for using the same are provided. The actuator includes a flexible element and a photoelectric layer. The flexible element includes an elastic layer or a piezoelectric layer. The photoelectric layer is disposed on a side of the flexible element. An electrical characteristic of the photoelectric layer is determined according to an irradiation condition of the photoelectric layer.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer is configured to transmit or receive ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic transducer includes a vibrating member and a piezoelectric member coupled to the vibrating member. The piezoelectric member includes a first piezoelectric part configured and arranged to be deformed by applied voltage to vibrate the vibrating member or configured and arranged to be deformed by vibration of the vibrating member to produce a potential difference, and a second piezoelectric part configured and arranged to be deformed by applied voltage to statically deflect the vibrating member.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor for detecting and/or scanning an object includes a substrate and a piezoelectric sensor unit arranged on or at this substrate and/or connected to this substrate. The rear side of the substrate facing away from the piezoelectric sensor unit has a surface structure including a plurality of elevated portions and recesses, with this surface structure being configured so that a diffuse scattering of ultrasonic waves incident on the rear side from the direction of the sensor unit takes place by it; and/or in that its elevated portions and/or recesses have a mean lateral extent in the range of 0.05 ?m to 1 mm, preferably from 0.1 ?m to 200 ?m, preferably from 0.2 ?m to 20 ?m, and/or a mean lateral extent which is smaller than or equal to the wavelength of an ultrasonic wave which can be produced by the piezoelectric sensor unit.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor for detecting an object includes: a piezoelectric element having a piezoelectric body and first and second electrodes for sandwiching the piezoelectric body; an acoustic matching element having a reception surface, which receives an ultrasonic wave reflected by the object; and a circuit electrically coupled with the piezoelectric element via a wire. The piezoelectric element is embedded in the acoustic matching element so that the acoustic matching element covers at least the first electrode, a part of a sidewall of the piezoelectric element and a part of the wire between the circuit and the piezoelectric element, and the sidewall of the piezoelectric element is adjacent to the first electrode.

Abstract: Ultrasound transducers and methods of making ultrasound transducers with improved thermal characteristics are provided. An ultrasound transducer can include: a backing, a piezoelectric element attached to the backing, a first matching layer attached to the piezoelectric element, and a second matching layer attached to the first matching layer. The first matching layer can comprise metal and can have a thermal conductivity of about greater than 30 W/mK. The second matching layer can have a thermal conductivity of about 0.5-300 W/mK. The first matching layer can have an acoustic impedance of about 10-20 MRayl, and the second matching layer can have a lower acoustic impedance. The first matching layer can be thicker than the second matching layer. The ultrasound transducer can include a lens and a matching layer disposed between the piezoelectric element and the lens can be configured to conduct heat from the piezoelectric element to the backing.

Abstract: Provided is a stretching method of an organic piezoelectric material which sequentially performs a primary stretching step for carrying out primary stretching of an organic piezoelectric material which has not been stretched, a heat treatment step for heat treating the organic piezoelectric material subjected to primary stretching, and a cooling step for carrying out secondary stretching of the heat treated organic piezoelectric material while the organic piezoelectric material is cooled down to the room temperature, and is characterized in that tension is applied continuously to the organic piezoelectric material from the primary stretching step to the cooling step without releasing the tension, and heat treatment is carried out while keeping the tension in a range of 0.1-500 kPa.

Abstract: A full range loudspeaker, comprising a frame with a membrane secured onto said frame and a piezoelectric actuator attached on said membrane and able to be driven over the full audible frequency range.

Abstract: An aspect of one embodiment, there is provided an ultrasonic transducer including a plurality of oscillators, each of the oscillator having a convex portion, a printed wiring board provided to be opposed to the convex portion, an adhesive material including at least a portion of the convex portion, the adhesive material joining the oscillator and the printed wiring board, and a resin provided between the oscillator and the printed wiring board, the resin covering the convex portion and the adhesive material.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor is disclosed. The ultrasonic sensor includes a piezoelectric element and an acoustic matching member. The piezoelectric element is configured to detect ultrasonic wave transmitted from a transmitter and reflected by a detection target object located in a detection target space. The acoustic matching member is configured to conduct the received ultrasonic wave to the piezoelectric element. The piezo electric element is covered with the acoustic matching member including a principal oscillation portion and a supplement oscillation portion. Thickness of a part of the supplement oscillation portion, the part covering the piezoelectric element, is smaller than a predetermined thickness threshold.

Abstract: A technology is disclosed which provides an array scanning type ultrasound probe capable of preventing a diminution of ultrasound of a piezoelectric device at the time of transmission and at the time of reception due to its damage and thereby reducing a sensitivity deterioration of a diagnostic image. According to the technology, included are an electroacoustic conversion unit formed by arranging multiple piezoelectric devices and multiple acoustic matching layers in a predetermined direction, each of the multiple piezoelectric devices being an electroacoustic conversion device, the multiple acoustic matching layers being respectively stacked on the multiple piezoelectric devices; and a signal flexible board transferring electric signals to be transmitted to and received from the multiple piezoelectric devices.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer includes an array of PZT elements mounted on a non-recessed distal surface of a backing block. Between each element and the backing block is a conductive region formed as a portion of a metallic layer sputtered onto the distal surface. Traces on a longitudinally extending circuit board—preferably, a substantially rigid printed circuit board, which may be embedded within the block—connect the conductive region, and thus the PZT element, with any conventional external ultrasound imaging system. A substantially “T” or “inverted-L” shaped electrode is thereby formed for each element, with no need for soldering. At least one longitudinally extending metallic member mounted on a respective lateral surface of the backing block forms a heat sink and a common electrical ground. A thermally and electrically conductive layer, such as of foil, transfers heat from at least one matching layer mounted on the elements to the metallic member.

Abstract: An electronic radial ultrasonic probe comprising an electronic radial array which comprises a plurality of ultrasonic transducers being continuously arrayed circularly around an insertion axis as center and also for which a transmission/reception of an ultrasonic wave is controlled by electronically selecting the plurality of ultrasonic transducer, comprises: a support member equipped on the electronic radial array; a lock member featured with a cavity in which the support member is inserted and with a lock groove for locking a balloon which is mounted in a manner to cover the electronic radial array and in which an ultrasonic medium is filled; and a filler member which is constituted by an adhesive material converting from a fluid state to a solid state, and is filled in the cavity.

Abstract: A vibration element includes a substrate, a piezoelectric element including a piezoelectric layer and an electrode layer, and a bonding layer provided between the piezoelectric element and the substrate and comprising ceramic containing melted glass powder, wherein the vibration element causes the substrate to vibrate by vibration energy of the piezoelectric element to output the vibration energy of the substrate, and the piezoelectric element is fixed to the substrate via the bonding layer.

Abstract: An anti-EMI ultrasonic transducer has a conductive casing, a piezoelectric ceramic board having an opening, a conductive shelter, a first and second wires and an encapsulation. A first electrode face of the piezoelectric ceramic board faces to the opening and a second electrode face is mounted inside the conductive casing. The conductive shelter is mounted inside the conductive casing or covered to the opening, so the piezoelectric ceramic board is encapsulated in the conductive shelter and the conductive casing. Since the second signal wire is connected to the conductive shelter mounted inside the conductive casing, the conductive shelter and the conductive casing and the second electrode face of the piezoelectric ceramic board are commonly electronically connected to a voltage signal transmitted by the second signal wire. Therefore, the conductive shelter and the conductive casing are constituted to an EMI shelter for the piezoelectric ceramic board to resist external EMI signal.

Abstract: Provided is a piezoelectric sound generating device capable of obtaining a stable connection state of lead-out conductors constituted of a conductive resin layer. A piezoelectric sound generating device 10, wherein lead-out conductors 18a, 18b are so flatly formed as to extend from surface electrodes 11a, 11b1 of a piezoelectric element 11 exposed to first openings 13a1, 13b1 to terminal electrodes 15a, 15b of a terminal portion 15 exposed to second openings 13a2, 13b2 on one main surface side of a diaphragm 12, respectively. As a result, the surface electrode 11a1 of the piezoelectric element 11 and the terminal electrode 15a of the terminal portion 15, and also the surface electrode 11b1 and a surface electrode 11c of the piezoelectric element 11, and the terminal electrode 15b of the terminal portion 15 are conductively connected. Hence, poor connection caused by cracks or the like is not likely to occur in the lead-out conductors.

Abstract: A design and a manufacturing method of ultrasound transducers based on films of ferro-electric ceramic material is presented, the transducers being particularly useful for operating at frequencies above 10 MHz. The manufacturing technique can involve tape-casting of the ceramic films, deposition of the ceramic films onto a substrate with thick film printing, sol-gel, or other deposition techniques, where manufacturing methods for load matching layers and composite ceramic layers are described. The designs also involve acoustic load matching layers that provide particularly wide bandwidth of the transducers, and also multi-band operation of the transducers. The basic designs can be used for elements in a transducer array, that provides the frequency characteristics of the single element transducers, for array steering of the focus and possibly also direction of a pulsed ultrasound beam at high frequencies and multi-band frequencies.

Abstract: A system for use in material testing which can be used on non-planar shapes and which is simple and inexpensive in construction. The system includes a layer of piezoelectric material sandwiched between and connected to a unified electrode and a plurality of excitable electrodes; and a structure, such as a Faraday structure-like unit which prevents electric or static fields from getting into or out of the structure and controls voltage potentials contained therein to be uniform, enclosing the ultrasonic transducer unit, and functions by maintaining a voltage potential on the electrodes and the piezoelectric material then pulling to the reference potential selected electrodes to generate a signal which excites the piezoelectric material so it generates a corresponding signal and then measuring the return signal generated by the piezoelectric material in response to a return signal from material being tested in response to the signal generated by the piezoelectric material.

Abstract: A transducer with triangular cross-sectional shaped pillars is described for suppressing lateral modes within a composite, and a method for producing the same. According to one aspect of the present application, a plurality of triangular cross-sectional shaped pillars extends outwardly from a substrate and form an array of pillars. The resulting array of pillars is configured to suppress the lateral modes of the transducer at higher operating frequencies, such as, at or above 15 MHz, at or above 20 MHz, or at or above 30 MHz.