NICOP - Measurement of Generation II / III piezocrystal properties under SONAR operating conditions
Abstract
Measurement of Generation II / III piezocrystal properties under SONAR operating conditions:a. Technical:The excellent electromechanical properties of relaxor single crystals have enabled sonar transducers with exceptional capabilities (>4X power level, 50-70% reduction in size, >4X sensitivity, 2X-3X bandwidth, etc.). To incorporate these new materials into Naval sonar transducers, the characterization of electromechanical response of piezocrystal under ambient and simulated operating conditions, including reduced and elevated temperature and elevated pressure, is a very important part of the process. The published standard characterization method requires six samples of different geometries which is cumbersome, time-consuming and open to errors relating to differences in sample properties. In the proposed research, an all-optical stimulus-and-measurement approach will be introduced using high power laser excitation of acoustic modes in a single sample and readout with a scanning laser vibrometer. The approach is intended to aid the establishment of simulated operating conditions, to reduce susceptibility to handling errors in existing contact techniques, and to avoid errors originating in the use of multiple samples. In particular, while the relaxor crystals are now well-established in biomedical imaging, their development for high power and deep sub-sea applications is not yet complete. In these circumstances, establishment of laboratory-based measurement systems is critical to evaluate and qualify new materials as well as to establish parameters that can be used in virtual prototyping software. The work will include no-cost collaboration with Thornton Tomasetti, PZFlex Division (Mountain View, CA, USA) to gain advice on the use of piezocrystal properties for virtual prototyping. b. Relevance: Piezoelectric materials are the active component of sonar transducers. The research could have impact on the following Naval S&T Focus Areas: platform design & survivability, power and energy, and power projection & integrated defense. c. Coordination: Dr. Wallace Smith and Dr. Harold Robinson of ONR 332; the project is also relevant to the intended TTCP dialogue on functional materials (in discussion). d. Desired Outcome: The research will enhance the techniques for piezocrystal characterization, including measurement techniques and data processing algorithms. It will also add to the fundamental knowledge of the electromechanical behavior of piezocrystals under high drive conditions, which is critical to the rapid adoption of next generation transducer materials for Naval applications.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Nov 23, 2016
- Source ID
- N629091612189
Entities
People
- Sandy Cochran
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy