title: A micro-machined piezoelectric flexural-mode hydrophone with air backing: benefit of air backing for enhancing sensitivity.
abstract: A micro-machined underwater acoustic receiver that utilizes the flexural vibration mode of a silicon thin plate and piezoelectric transduction material was investigated. In particular, air was used as the backing material for the hydrophone in order to improve sensitivity in the audible frequency range. To evaluate the effects of air backing on receiving sensitivity, a transduction model incorporating mechanical/electrical/acoustical design parameters was used in designing a piezoelectric micro-machined hydrophone. The sensitivity and displacement responses of the sensor were simulated using the model for air backing and water backing cases, and the benefit of using air backing to enhance sensitivity was confirmed. The micro-machined piezoelectric transducer was fabricated, assembled in the shape of a hydrophone, and tested to ascertain its characteristics as an underwater sensor. These characteristics, such as frequency response and sensitivity, were measured and compared with the simulated results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, San 31, Hyojadong Namgu, Pohang, Kyungbuk 790-784, South Korea.
authors.forename: Haksue
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Sungjoon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Wonkyu
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Moon
mesh_terms: D000162:Acoustics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004867:Equipment Design; D006874:Hydrostatic Pressure; D008904:Miniaturization; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009038:Motion; D013016:Sound; D013018:Sound Spectrography; D014160:Transducers, Pressure; D014732:Vibration; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D014867:Water