Analysis of Predistortion Techniques on Fresnel Zone Plates in Ultrasound Applications

In this work, we analyze the effect of predistortion techniques on the focusing profile of Fresnel Zone Plates (FZPs) in ultrasound applications. This novel predistortion method is based on either increasing or decreasing the width of some of the FZP Fresnel rings by a certain amount. We investigate how the magnitude of the predistortion, as well as the number and location of the predistorted rings, influences the lens focusing profile. This focusing profile can be affected in different ways depending on the area of the lens where the predistortion is applied. It is shown that when the inner area of the lens, closer to its center, is predistorted, this technique allows the control of the focal depth at the main focus. However, when the predistortion is applied to an area farther from the center of the lens, the acoustic intensity distribution among the main focus and the closest adjacent secondary foci can be tailored at a certain degree. This predistortion technique shows great potential and can be used to control, modify and shape the FZP focusing profile in both industrial and therapeutic applications.