Patent ID: 7846102
Filing Date: 2010-12-07
Classification: B06B,H02N,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) array comprising: a. a silicon on insulator (SOI) substrate, wherein said SOI substrate comprises a doped first silicon layer and a first insulating layer; b. a doped second silicon layer, wherein said first insulating layer is disposed between said first silicon layer and said second silicon layer; c. at least two active elements, wherein each said active element is separated by an isolation trench, wherein said isolation trench is disposed through at least said SOI second silicon layer and surrounds said active element, wherein said first silicon layer provides mechanical support between said active elements; d. at least one cell disposed in said active element, wherein said cell comprises: e. at least one ground contact element, wherein said ground contact element is isolated from said active elements by at least one said trench surrounding said ground contact element, wherein said ground contact element comprises: f. a separate electronic unit, wherein said bottom electrodes and said ground electrode are conductively connected to said electronic unit, wherein said ground contact elements are disposed at an end of said array.