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As an acoustic receiver, transducer plays a vital role in signal acquisition and image reconstruction for magnetoacoustic tomography with magnetic induction (MAT-MI). In order to optimize signal acquisition, the expressions of acoustic pressure detection and waveform collection are theoretically studied based on the radiation theory of acoustic dipole and the reception pattern of transducer. Pressure distributions are simulated for a cylindrical phantom model using a planar piston transducer with different radii and bandwidths. The proposed theory is also verified by the experimental measurements of acoustic waveform detection for an aluminum foil cylinder. It is proved that acoustic pressure with sharp and clear boundary peaks can be detected by the large-radius transducer with wide bandwidth, reflecting the differential of the induced Lorentz force accurately, which is helpful for precise conductivity reconstruction. To detect acoustic pressure with acceptable pressure amplitude, peak pressure ratio, amplitude ratio, and improved signal to noise ratio, the scanning radius of 5–10 times the radius of the object should be selected to improve the accuracy of image reconstruction. This study provides a theoretical and experimental basis for transducer selection and application in MAT-MI to obtain reconstructed images with improved resolution and definition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optical resonator-based frequency stabilization plays a critical role in ultra-low linewidth laser emission and precision sensing, atom clocks, and quantum applications. However, there has been limited success in translating traditional bench-top stabilization cavities to compact on-chip integrated waveguide structures that are compatible with photonic integration. The challenge lies in realizing waveguides that not only deliver low optical loss but also exhibit a low thermo-optic coefficient and frequency noise stability. Given the problematic sources of frequency noise within dielectrics, such as thermorefractive noise, resonators with small thermo-optic response are desirable for on-chip reference cavities. We report the first demonstration of a Ta2O5 (tantala) waveguide core fabricated on a crystal quartz substrate lower cladding with TEOS-PECVD SiO2 upper cladding. This waveguide offers significant advantages over other waveguides in terms of its low thermo-optic coefficient and reduced thermorefractive-related frequency noise. We describe the waveguide structure and key design parameters as well as fabrication considerations for processing tantala on quartz waveguides. We report a waveguide thermo-optic coefficient of -1.14 × 10-6 RIU/K, a value that is over 6 times smaller in magnitude than that of SiO2-substrate tantala waveguides, with a propagation loss of 1.19 dB/cm at 1550 nm and <1.33 dB/cm across the 1525 nm-1610 nm wavelength range. Within a 1.6 mm radius ring resonator, we demonstrate a 2.54 × 105 intrinsic Q factor. With the potential for very low loss and the ability to control the thermal response, this waveguide platform takes a key step toward creating thermally stable integrated resonators for on-chip laser frequency stabilization and other applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel screw-thread-type ultrasonic actuator based on a Langevin piezoelectric vibrator, with an assembly comprised a threaded shaft, is presented. The bolt-clamped Langevin vibrator consists of 4 chips of PZT ceramics and generates more energy with a certain input power. The threads of the stator multiply the linear force and position resolution, and the threaded rod is rotated directly to achieve linear movement without additional mechanical conversion. The actuator was designed and optimized using the Finite Element Method (FEM), and a prototype was fabricated. At 300 Vp-p, the maximum thrust force, velocity, and efficiency were approximately 4.2 N, 9.5 mms-1, and 5.6%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]