Single-element ultrasonic probe using PZN-PT single crystal

摘要

In order to improve the sensitivity and the bandwidth of an ultrasonic probe, the single-element probe using single crystals of the solid solution Pb(Zn$-1/3$/Nb$-2/3$/)O$-3$/-PbTiO$-3$/ (PZN-PT) has been investigated. Single crystals of PZN-PT with 9 mol% PbTiO$-3$/ (PZN-PT 91/9) single crystals were grown by the self flux method using PbO-based flux. It was confirmed that the single crystal of good quality with the dimensions of about 25 multiplied by 15 multiplied by 5 mm which is capable of fabricating a phased array probe for echocardiography has been grown. As a first step, a plane single-element probe of 2.0 mm in diameter and 20 MHz was fabricated for gastrointestinal lesions. Mechanical strength of the new crystal material in the fabricating process was strong enough since no damage such as cracking occurred. The sensitivity of the PZN-PT probe has been improved compared with that of the conventional PZT one. Also,the bandwidth has been noticeably broadened.