Phased array probes

Unequalled performance level

Piezocomposite material

A specially designed piezocomposite material 1-3 structure is implemented in each type of probe. The composite components and geometry are defined according to the temporal and frequency response specifications, while keeping high sensitivity and signal to noise ratio level.
The piezocomposite material is also designed to lower the cross coupling between neighbour elements, which is necessary to properly steer the beam with electronic delay laws. Typical cross coupling is lower than –40dB.

Matching layer

Taking into account the using conditions of the probe (manual, automated, direct contact, contact with a wedge), the matching layer is designed to optimise the energy transfer, to shorten the pulse length and to be wear resistant.

Hard face

Several probes are used in direct contact, which can be very harsh for the front face. The wear of the front face may have unexpected consequences on the probes like water penetration or modification of electroacoustical properties.
In the meantime, the implementation of a protective layer may alter the pulse length and sensitivity due to the additional interface.
For this reason, Imasonic has implemented a new hard face lambda/4 material that combines an appropriate acoustical impedance for high energy transfer and 10 times higher wear resistance than conventional front face

Backing material

The backing material is designed to shorten the pulse length and to attenuate the back echo. Specially designed backing materials allow interesting compromise with high damping and high attenuation in reduced dimension

Cable

The cable performances are also a key parameter for the overall performances of the probe. Its attenuation must be as low as possible, mainly for high frequency probes. Its electrical impedance is matched to the probe and electronic characteristics. The bending capability is optimised to access small areas, while keeping high mechanical resistance and constant electrical properties.

Simulation with KLM Model

The electroacoustical influence of all these components is simulated with a software based on KLM model. The target parameters are temporal and spectral response, sensitivity and electrical impedance
Combined with this software, Imasonic databases on piezocomposite material allow precise simulation and very predictable electroacoustical performances.