Composite ultrasound transducer arrays for operation above 20 MHz

Methods for fabricating and modeling high frequency 2-2 composites and arrays are presented. The composites are suitable for arrays and small aperture single element devices operating above 20 MHz. Coupling coefficients above 0.65 and lateral mode frequencies near 60 MHz were achieved with this composite. Backing and matching materials were prepared to provide up to 70% bandwidth and coaxial cable was used to impedance match the elements to a 50 ohm source. A TPX lens was fabricated and bonded to the face to provide focusing in the elevation direction. Three prototype 4 element 30 MHz linear arrays were designed and built. The designs were analyzed in a time domain finite element analysis program and excellent agreement between theory and experiment was achieved.

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