Design and Simulation of 100 kHz and 200 kHz Tri-Phasic PZT Piezoelectric Transducers

Abstract

This work reports the simulation and measurements results of Tri-Phase piezoelectric transducers unprecedented geometries composed of PZT-5H rods surrounded by hexagonal polymer walls in a vacuum ambient. The electrical and mechanical characteristics of these transducers are simulated, predicted and compared to that of physical design. The measured piezoelectric properties of the 100 kHz and 200 kHz fabricated transducer are found to be very much in agreement with those of the physical design. The simulation of the designed transducer was expected to have acoustic energy channeled in the d33 mode at resonance, with weak or no shear mode cross talk behavior from the other modes. The mechanical displacements measured were large and highly aligned along d33 mode. Transducer resonance behavior was measured, compared and in agreement to that of simulation. This implies that Tri-Phasic piezoelectric transducers model perform as a finite tool to design single device transducers with improved mechanical and electrical response. Such designed transducers can be highly useful for the noncontact Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) and Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) with high resolution and greater depth profile of various types of material studies. Thus using several design parameters variables new transducers with desirable features can be produced for wide range of applications.