Optimization of Piezoelectric Materials and Ultrasound Imaging Transducers via Alternating Current Poling.

Medical ultrasound imaging relies heavily on ultrasound transducers, whose properties directly determine transducer performance. Alternating current poling (ACP) serves as a domain engineering platform to enhance the dielectric and piezoelectric properties of ferroelectric single crystals, ceramics, and piezocomposites compared to conventional direct current poling (DCP). Although several reviews cover the microscopic mechanisms of ACP, researchers have not yet systematically analyzed these materials from the perspective of device applications. This mini-review focuses on the impact of ACP on transducer performance, analyzing the relationship between material properties and device performance in ultrasound imaging transducers. We systematically evaluate the optimization efficacy of ACP across different piezoelectric material forms and bridge the gaps between material parameters and device metrics such as bandwidth and sensitivity. Finally, this review discusses the engineering challenges, structural design synergies, and future trends of ACP-based transducers.