Air-coupled transducers based on 1-3 connectivity single crystal piezocomposites

Air-coupled piezoelectric transducers made of 1-3 connectivity PMN-PT single crystal composites (centre frequency around 1.0 MHz) were designed, built and characterized. Several matching layers configurations have been tested in order to achieve optimum sensitivity or bandwidth or both. Results are compared with those obtained from similar transducers made using 1-3 PZT ceramic piezocomposites. Both kinds of transducers exhibit similar peak sensitivities (-23 dB), but single crystal transducers present a smoother and wider frequency band (up to 89%).