Low Cost Single Crystal Transducer Design and Fabrication for Common Low Frequency Projectors

TRS proposes to develop an extremely low frequency sonar projector transducer miniaturized through specific designs that allow incorporation into an array on the large diameter underwater vehicles. Piezoelectric single crystal growth technology based on PMN-PT has advanced the acoustic transduction capabilities and has revolutionized various sonar platforms and TRS will utilize second- and third-generation crystal based on PMN-PT to further these capabilities. Special orientations made practical with the piezoelectric single crystal materials along with a combination of transduction techniques will enable low frequency sonar capability. Phase II will optimize the transducer developed in Phase I to increase depth capability while maintaining the order of magnitude reduction in frequency relative to size. A sub-array will be built and tested for performance characterization in this program.