New design of the Kerfs of an ultrasonic two-dimensional array transducerto minimize cross-talk

The transducer under consideration is a planar two-dimensional (2D) array transducer working at 3.5 MHz. The transducer is composed of 17 × 17 piezoelectric elements separated by major and minor kerfs. Through finite element analyses (FEA), the performance of the 2D array transducer was investigated in relation to the acoustic impedance and structure of the kerfs. Based on the analysis results, three new types of kerfs were proposed to reduce the cross-talk. Detailed material properties and structures of the new kerfs were determined to provide the lowest cross-talk level and highest pulse-echo sensitivity while preserving a desired acceptance angle at the center frequency of 3.5 MHz. The results in this work can contribute to developing a 2D array transducer which would result in having a higher signal-to-noise level, which in turn will lead to better ultrasonic imaging.