Naval Device Applications of Relaxor Piezoelectric Single Crystals

This program is intended to advance the state-of-the-art d36 shear mode projector. Phase I of this effort produced a projector which demonstrates promising bandwidth and source level, especially considering its compact size. It is also the first known d36 underwater projector in the history of piezoelectrics. To develop a robust, high power, and broad bandwidth d36 shear mode projector array and bring it to a usable stage, we propose the following tasks for the phase II project: 1) Measure and establish full set material properties for selected crystals. Accurate material properties are critical to transducer design and optimization because inaccuracy in material property directly affect the outcomes of transducer modeling; 2) Refine the d36 transducer design and optimize transducer performance characteristics based on the measured property values; 3) Validate transducer design with in situ transducer tests. By the end of the Phase II project, we will develop and build a robust, high power, and broad bandwidth shear mode projector array. We propose a budget of $749,763 to carry out the proposed works in a period of 24 months. A subcontract to the Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State is for the design, optimization and validation of the prototype d36 shear mode crystal transducers. By the end of the contract period, we will evaluate the design and techniques developed and prepare for the commercialization of the shear mode crystal transducer.