DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE PIEZOACOUS-TIC RESPONSE OF ALUMINIUM NITRIDE FOR EN-HANCED ULTRASOUND DEVICES

Piezoelectric materials are integral to ultrasound probes and scanning devices in medical imaging and fingerprint recognition, as they can convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. This conversion enables the imaging of internal structures, facilitating medical diagnostics by highlighting deviations from normal organ dimensions. Traditionally, Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT-4) has been used in handheld ultrasound probes, despite its low output and significant environmental hazards upon disposal. This paper presents Aluminium Nitride (AlN) as a safer, environmentally friendly, and thermally stable alternative. AlN is compatible with Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) technology, making it a viable option for sophisticated ultrasound probes that can be compact enough to be taken into the body. The simulations conducted through COMSOL Multiphysics at 200 kHz, this study demonstrate AlN's piezo acoustic properties, which are crucial for generating photoacoustic images in biomedical imaging. The presented simulation model enables monitoring of the material's acoustic behavior in response to specific electrical inputs and frequencies.