Tonpilz transducers designed using single crystal piezoelectrics

New single crystal piezoelectrics were investigated as improved transducer materials. Single crystals take advantage of crystallographic engineering to produce high piezoelectric and electromechanical coupling coefficients. Single crystal lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate (PMN) was substituted for the piezoelectric ceramic section of a tonpilz transducer design, in order to reduce length and improve bandwidth and output power. Predictions and measurements of transmit performances were made for purposes of comparison to a PZT-8 design. ATILA finite element modeling was used to predict vibration modes, coupling coefficient, head displacement, transmit voltage response, and stress levels in the transducer. Tonpilz elements were then fabricated, tested and analyzed. The performance of the single crystal device was shown to provide the same or improved response over the PZT-8 transducer at a reduced transducer length.