Temperature to which a material is raised while in the presence of a strong electrical field, to yield piezoelectric properties

Temperature to which a material is raised while in the presence of a strong electrical field, to yield piezoelectric properties

• A. Aperture
• B. Apodization
• C. Currie Point
• D. Damping

Answer: (C)

Poling a piezoelectric material is done by heating it to a high temperature while applying a strong electric field so the ferroelectric domains align with the field. The temperature you raise it to is the Curie point (Curie temperature). At this temperature the material transitions to a paraelectric state and loses its spontaneous polarization, so you perform the poling just below that point. As it cools with the field still applied, the domains lock in an aligned configuration, and the material gains its piezoelectric properties. If you go above the Curie temperature, the polarization vanishes and the piezoelectric effect is lost. Other terms in ultrasound contexts describe beam shaping or energy loss and aren’t related to this poling process.

Poling a piezoelectric material is done by heating it to a high temperature while applying a strong electric field so the ferroelectric domains align with the field. The temperature you raise it to is the Curie point (Curie temperature). At this temperature the material transitions to a paraelectric state and loses its spontaneous polarization, so you perform the poling just below that point. As it cools with the field still applied, the domains lock in an aligned configuration, and the material gains its piezoelectric properties. If you go above the Curie temperature, the polarization vanishes and the piezoelectric effect is lost.

Other terms in ultrasound contexts describe beam shaping or energy loss and aren’t related to this poling process.