Characterization of ultrasonic transducers

A systematic approach in the design and evaluation of high-frequency piezoelectric transducers is presented. The transducers, prior to manufacture, are modeled to generate an optimum response for a given specification. The design parameters are adjusted until a physically realizable model of the transducer is achieved. The model of the transducer is then constructed and characterized both in the time and frequency domains, and the results are compared with theoretical predictions. The acoustic output parameters as required by the current international standard can then be estimated from data obtained by pulse-intensity integral measurements. Results for three ultrasonic transducers are presented to illustrate the procedures involved and to highlight the limitations of the approach