In 2010, TFT was contacted by a developer of underwater remote sensing devices. The customer needed a custom ceramic transducer mount made from materials that could withstand exposure to sea water at depth. The customer needed a rigid, but light substrate to transmit the needed acoustic energy, it had to be double-sided with each side isolated both electronically and hermetically from the other. In addition, the substrate needed to be round to fit in the device case and have hermetic via to withstand water pressure.

Using a thicker than normal, laser machined alumina ceramic substrate, we were able to design a transducer mount that met the acoustic needs of the application and working with the customer, we selected materials capable of meeting the requirements for pressure and met the customers’ salt water exposure needs.