SUMMARY

High frequency ultrasound imaging is utilized in a broad range of applications from intravascular imaging to small animal imaging for preclinical studies. Capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (CMUTs) possess multiple preferable characteristics for high frequency imaging systems, such as simpler fabrication methods, simpler integration to electronics, and greater variety of array geometries. Adequate performance and optimization of CMUT based systems require a comprehensive analysis of multiple design parameters. This research utilizes a nonlinear lumped model, capable of simulating the pressure output, electrical input-output, and echo response to a planar reflector of CMUT arrays with arbitrary membrane shape and array geometry, to determine the performance limitations of high frequency CMUT arrays and the effect of different design parameters on its performance. Receiver performance is analyzed through parameters extracted from simulations, namely, thermal mechanical current noise, plane wave pressure sensitivity, and pressure noise spectrum. Transmitter performance is analyzed through pressure output simulation, and the overall performance is analyzed through the simulated pulse-echo response from a perfect planar reflector and the thermal mechanical current noise limited SNR. It is observed that the frequency response is dominated by two vibroacoustic limiting mechanisms: Bragg’s scattering, determined by array lateral dimensions, and crosstalk actuated fundamental and antisymmetric array modes, determined by individual membrane dynamics. Based on the limiting mechanism frequencies, a simplified design methodology is developed and used to design two CMUT array sets covering 1-80MHz frequency range. These CMUT arrays are fabricated and their limiting mechanisms are experimentally verified through pressure and admittance measurement and simulation comparison. CMUT arrays for guidewire IVUS application are implemented and successfully interfaced with ASICs to demonstrate imaging at 40MHz. Considering that CMUT array performance is also susceptible to the electrical termination conditions, the simulation model is utilized to investigate the effect of different impedance matching scenarios. Receiver performance of the integrated CMUT array and termination circuitry is analyzed through the system’s SNR and acoustic reflectivity.