Shock Wave Characterization Using Different Diameters of an Optoacoustic Carbon Nanotube Composite Transducer

Carbon nanotube-polymethyl siloxane (CNT-PDMS) composite transducers generate shock waves using optoacoustic technology. A thin layer of thermally conductive CNT and elastomeric polymer, PDMS, is applied on the concave surface of transparent polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) to convert laser energy to acoustic energy using the thermoelastic effect of the composite transducer. The efficient conversion of laser energy requires an optimum utilization of the different properties of composite transducers. Among these properties, the diameter of composite transducers is a significant parameter. To practically verify and understand the effect of the diameter of composite transducers on the properties of shock waves, CNT-PDMS composite transducers with different diameters and focal lengths were constructed. Increases in the diameter of the composite transducer and input laser energy resulted in increased peak pressures of the shock waves. The maximum positive and negative pressures of the shock waves generated were 53 MPa and -25 MPa, respectively. This practically demonstrates that high peak amplitudes of shock waves can be achieved using larger transducers, which are suitable for practical applications in transcranial studies.