As the transducer diameter increases, what happens to the divergence in the far field?

When the transducer diameter increases, the divergence in the far field decreases. This relationship is rooted in the principles of sound wave behavior and the design of ultrasonic transducers.

In ultrasound imaging, the far field, also known as the Fraunhofer zone, is the region where sound waves start to spread out after passing through the near field (or Fresnel zone). The degree of divergence of the ultrasound beam in this far field is influenced by the size of the transducer. A larger transducer produces a more focused beam, resulting in less divergence. As the diameter increases, the beam remains more collimated over a longer distance, which leads to improved spatial resolution and greater intensity in the focal zone as compared to smaller transducers that have more significant beam spreading.

This understanding emphasizes the importance of transducer size in ultrasound imaging, as it directly impacts the quality and clarity of the images produced. A larger diameter transducer is beneficial for applications where reduced divergence and enhanced depth resolution are advantageous.