Numerical optimization of ultrasound transducers by the linearity of the phase spectrum

Abstract

New ultrasound imaging and therapeutic modalities may require transducer designs that are not easily facilitated by conventional design guidelines and analytical expressions. This motivates the investigation of numerical optimization methods that can include the effect of structural layers (e.g. bonding and electrodes), electrical loading, and more than one active piezoceramic layer in the design and optimization procedure. We have developed a numerical design method that utilizes the linearity of the spectral phase as the design criterion. The aim of this paper is to apply our numerical optimization method to optimize a transducer by linearizing the phase spectrum. Comparison to an established, analytical, broad-band matching method is given.