Durable lead attachment techniques for pvdf polymer transducers with application to high voltage pulsed ultrasonics1

Abstract A common need in all PVDF piezoelectric film devices is the attachment of durable electrical leads. Previously leads have been attached to already vacuum metallized polarized film by either mechanical means or by means of conducting adhesive or paint (e.g., silver-filled epoxy). Our new lead attachment techniques provide maximum mechanical stability, electrical power capacity, and overall durability; they include using staggered electrodes, a sputtered gold coating as the transducer electrode and conducting attachment path, and methods for soldering lead wires to the continuous gold coating or depositing gold over a cemented lead. Fabrication and performance characteristics of such PVDF transducers are discussed.