Immersion transducers

High resolution matrix Array Transducers

see also contact matrix arrays which configuration can be extrapolated to immersion arrays

Applications

Inspection of thick parts, forged parts, complex interface parts and difficult materials (coarse grain, non homogeneous).

Principle & Advantages

The shaping of the active surface in a 2D array allows a 3D beam steering and 3D correction of the focus, which can compensate, for example, for the defocusing effect of a complex interface or an anisotropic material.
Furthermore, matrix immersion transducers, like annular arrays, allow electronic focusing at different depths.

Matrix arrays with small pitch can also be used to steer the beam in 3D. These arrays are describes in the contact matrix arrays page as it is their most common way of use. However they can easily be adapted to immersion.

General Characteristics

• Frequency from 300 kHz to 20 MHz
• Number of elements: from 32 to 1024
• High sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio, thanks to the acoustic matching to water allowing a very good transfer of acoustic energy
• Good axial resolution, and reduction of the unseen area below the surface thanks to a short pulse length
• High reliability over time thanks to a design that is watertight and resistant to corrosion, compatible with permanent immersion under 1 m of water

Standard configurations

Options

• Fermat surface pre-focusing
• Spherical or bifocal mechanical pre-focusing
• Housing adapted to the probe holder
• Halogen-free for nuclear environments
• Customized cabling
• Adaptation to a particular environment (temperature, pressure, radiation, chemical compatibility).