Optical Microresonator Arrays for Ultrasound Detection Without High Voltage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasound sensing technologies using piezoelectric materials face challenges such as high operation voltage requirements, non-linear response with high hysteresis, and limited angle of detection, necessitating improved devices and methods.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising optical fibers and optical waveguides arranged in an array of sensing locations, where each resonator node has optical coupling and communicates shifts in resonant frequencies, leveraging uniform material characteristics for consistent performance and mass production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If piezoelectric materials (PZT, PTF, PVDF) are used for ultrasound sensing, then ultrasound detection capability is achieved, but high operation voltage requirements and high electric field requirements cause breakdown and failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces piezoelectric materials with optical microresonators that detect ultrasound through optical frequency shifts. This substitution eliminates the need for high voltage operation and electric fields, using optical resonance instead of piezoelectric effect to achieve ultrasound sensing without the associated reliability issues of high voltage breakdown
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operating parameters from high voltage/electric field regime to optical frequency regime. By using optical microresonators with high quality factors, the system achieves sensitive ultrasound detection through resonance frequency shifts without requiring high operation voltages, thereby improving reliability
2Measurement precision
If piezoelectric materials are used for ultrasound sensing, then ultrasound detection is enabled, but non-linear response with high hysteresis limits measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces piezoelectric sensing with optical microresonator sensing. The optical resonance frequency shifts provide a linear response to ultrasound pressure changes, eliminating the hysteresis and non-linearity inherent in piezoelectric materials. This enables more precise ultrasound measurement through optical detection
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from electrical response measurement to optical frequency measurement. The optical microresonators exhibit linear frequency shifts with applied pressure, providing stable and repeatable measurements without the hysteresis loops characteristic of piezoelectric materials, thereby improving measurement precision
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional piezoelectric ultrasound sensors are used, then ultrasound sensing is achieved, but limited angle of detection reduces adaptability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs arrays of optical microresonators positioned at different locations and orientations. This segmentation allows multiple sensing elements to detect ultrasound from different angles, expanding the overall detection coverage and adaptability of the system while maintaining high measurement precision through optical detection
4Ease of manufacture
If optical microresonator arrays are used for ultrasound sensing, then consistent performance and mass production capability are achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses standard optical fiber components and waveguide structures that can be manufactured using conventional optical fabrication techniques. The optical microresonators are formed from commercial optical fibers, allowing mass production through standardized processes while the optical coupling provides universal interfacing for ultrasound detection
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables cost-efficient, consistent, and predictable ultrasound sensing with high sensitivity, allowing for efficient mass production and reliable performance through optical microresonator arrays with high quality factors.
Implementation Method 1
Each resonator node may include an optical coupling between an optical waveguide and an optical fiber that has a set of resonant frequencies at a respective sensing location
Implementation Method 2
the one or more optical fibers may be configured to receive multiple ultrasound echoes. Furthermore, the one or more optical fibers may be configured to experience the shift in the set of resonant frequencies in response to the multiple ultrasound echoes
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus may include one or more optical fibers, one or more optical waveguides, and multiple resonator nodes arranged in an array of sensing locations. Each resonator node may include an optical coupling between an optical waveguide and an optical fiber having a set of resonant frequencies at a respective sensing location. Each resonator node may be further configured to communicate a set of signals corresponding to at least one shift in the set of resonant frequencies in the optical fiber at the respective sensing location.