Abstract
High frequency polymer-based ultrasonic transducers are produced with electrodes thicknesses typical for printed electrodes obtained from silver (Ag) nano-particle inks. An analytical three-port network is used to study the acoustic effects imposed by a thick electrode in a typical layered transducer configuration. Results from the network model are compared to experimental findings for the implemented transducer configuration, to obtain a better understanding of acoustical effects caused by the additional printed mass loading. The proposed investigation might be supportive of identification of suitable electrode-depositing methods. It is also believed to be useful as a feasibility study for printed Ag-based electrodes in high frequency transducers, which may reduce both the cost and production complexity of these devices.
Highlights
The polymer vinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and the copolymer obtained from vinylidene fluoride and trifluoroethylene [P(VDF-TrFE)] have been used extensively as materials for piezo- and pyro-electrical sensors and in piezoelectric transducers [1,2,3]
Printable conductive polymer electrodes have previously been applied in high frequency (HF) ultrasonic transducers yielding very good impedance matched to piezoelectric films [7]
For electrodes used in the active part of an ultrasonic transducer, the electrode thickness plays an important role in addition to the conductivity [9]
Summary
The polymer vinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and the copolymer obtained from vinylidene fluoride and trifluoroethylene [P(VDF-TrFE)] have been used extensively as materials for piezo- and pyro-electrical sensors and in piezoelectric transducers [1,2,3]. In high frequency ultrasonic transducers, for example, electrodes have typically been produced by plasma and/or vacuum methods like sputtering or vacuum deposition These methods are difficult to integrate efficiently in printing processes, and thereby limit the ability for mass production. Printable conductive polymer electrodes have previously been applied in high frequency (HF) ultrasonic transducers yielding very good impedance matched to piezoelectric films [7]. Their low electrical conductivity affects the transducer sensitivity [8]. The effects on the transducer properties imposed by a backing layer were investigated
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