Fabrication and characterization of an indium tin oxide acoustoelectric hydrophone

Pier Ingram; Charles L. Greenlee; Zhaohui Wang; Ragnar Olafsson; Robert A. Norwood; Russell S. Witte

doi:10.1117/12.845631

12 March 2010 Fabrication and characterization of an indium tin oxide acoustoelectric hydrophone

Pier Ingram, Charles L. Greenlee, Zhaohui Wang, Ragnar Olafsson, Robert A. Norwood, Russell S. Witte

Proceedings Volume 7629, Medical Imaging 2010: Ultrasonic Imaging, Tomography, and Therapy; 76290O (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.845631
Event: SPIE Medical Imaging, 2010, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Clinical ultrasound (US) imaging and therapy require a precise knowledge of the intensity distribution of the acoustic field. Although piezoelectric hydrophones are most common, these devices are limited in terms of, for example, type of materials, cost, and performance at high frequency and pressure. As an alternative to conventional acoustic detectors, we describe acoustoelectric hydrophones, developed using photolithographic fabrication techniques, where the induced voltage (phase and amplitude) is proportional to both the US pressure and bias current injected through the device. In this study a number of different hydrophone designs were created using indium tin oxide (ITO). A constriction of the current path within the hydrophone created a localized "sensitivity zone" of high current density. The width of this zone ranged from 30 to 1000 μm, with a thickness of 100 nm. A raster scan of the US transducer produced a map of the acoustic field. Hydrophones were evaluated by mapping the pressure field of a 2.25 MHz single element transducer, and their performance was compared to a commercial capsule hydrophone. Focal spot sizes at -6 dB were as low as 1.75 mm, comparing well with the commercial hydrophone measurement of 1.80 mm. Maximum sensitivity was 2 nV/Pa and up to the 2nd harmonic was detected. We expect improved performance with future devices as we optimize the design. Acoustoelectric hydrophones are potentially cheaper and more robust than the piezoelectric models currently in clinical use, potentially providing more choice of materials and designs for monitoring therapy or producing arrays for imaging.

Citation Download Citation

Pier Ingram, Charles L. Greenlee, Zhaohui Wang, Ragnar Olafsson, Robert A. Norwood, and Russell S. Witte "Fabrication and characterization of an indium tin oxide acoustoelectric hydrophone", Proc. SPIE 7629, Medical Imaging 2010: Ultrasonic Imaging, Tomography, and Therapy, 76290O (12 March 2010); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.845631

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available