Electromechanical Characteristics of Exponentially Tapered Piezoelectric Bimorph Actuators

Abstract

In order to investigate the most effective shape for a piezoelectric bimorph actuator, equations giving the free input admittance for an exponentially tapered vibrator were derived. Five piezoelectric bimorph actuators with different shapes were fabricated and their characteristics were analyzed using the derived equations and by measurements. The experimental and theoretical results were in good agreement, and they suggested that the resonant frequency and displacement can be controlled by the tapered shape.