Abstract :
Beyond the k=0.7 class PZT families, our ever-lasting desire is to have more k to extend bandwidth and efficiency. A material within ceramic family, PNN-PT-PZ (PbNi1/3Nb2/3O3 -PbTiO3-PbZrO3), is an easier candidate, however, with k=0.8 around, in between PZT family and single crystal family. Although including a die-pressing step, the material can be prepared using conventional solid solution method similar to the one we used to make PZT. In this study, several pieces of 25 mm-dia., 1 mm-t, sintered, shaped, electrode-attached and poled PNN-PT-PZ discs are put up for evaluation. For control, almost same size PZT-5 (Fuji Ceramics C6) discs are hired for comparison. As single element air backed transducer, PNN-PT-PZ disc shows almost 20% more signaling bandwidth than conventional PZT, in air and with water loaded situations. 2-D half (or 2/3 thickness) diced structure also has been tried with similar conclusion, which suggests it could be also workable with such performance improvement, including 1D to 2D arrays for imaging and/or Doppler systems
Keywords :
biomedical transducers; biomedical ultrasonics; lead compounds; nickel compounds; niobium compounds; piezoceramics; piezoelectric transducers; solid solutions; ultrasonic transducers; zirconium compounds; 1D arrays; 25 mm; 2D arrays; Doppler systems; PbNi1/3Nb2/3O3-PbTiO3 -PbZrO3; PbNiO3NbO3-PbTiO3-PbZrO3 ; die pressing step; electrode-attached discs; high-k piezoelectric ceramics; medical imaging transducers; poled discs; signaling bandwidth; solid solution method; Bandwidth; Ceramics; Crystalline materials; High K dielectric materials; High-K gate dielectrics; Niobium; Size control; Solids; Structural discs; Transducers;
