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Published on: September 28, 2016
High-Efficiency Output Pressure Performance Using Capacitive Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducers with
Byung Chul Lee1,2, Amin Nikoozadeh3, Kwan Kyu Park4
1Center for BioMicrosystems, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Korea. bclee@kist.re.kr.
Capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (CMUTs) with substrate-embedded springs achieve high output pressure. These novel CMUTs demonstrate superior performance compared to conventional designs and PZT ceramics.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Mechanical Engineering
- Acoustics
Background:
- Conventional Capacitive Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducers (CMUTs) face limitations in output pressure efficiency.
- Nonflexural movement in CMUTs offers a potential pathway for enhanced performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the performance of CMUTs with substrate-embedded springs for improved output pressure.
- To compare the efficiency of these novel CMUTs against conventional CMUTs and PZT transducers.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of CMUTs with substrate-embedded silicon springs supporting thick Si piston plates.
- Utilized white light interferometry and laser Doppler vibrometry for static and dynamic displacement analysis.
- Measured output pressure in immersion using a hydrophone.
Main Results:
- Achieved a maximum transmission efficiency of 21 kPa/V and average volume displacement efficiency of 1.1 nm/V at 1.85 MHz with 55 V DC bias.
- Outperformed lead zirconate titanate (PZT) ceramic HD3203 by 1.35 times in maximum transmission and average volume displacement efficiency.
- Average volume displacement efficiency reached approximately 80% of state-of-the-art PMN-0.33PT single-crystal materials.
Conclusions:
- CMUTs with substrate-embedded springs provide highly efficient output pressure due to nonflexural parallel plate movement.
- These CMUTs offer a competitive alternative to PZT transducers and approach the performance of advanced single-crystal materials.
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