In diagnostic ultrasound, the transducer operates on which physical principle to generate images?

• A Photoelectric effect
• B Compton scattering
• C Pair production
• D Piezoelectric effect ✓

Explanation

The piezoelectric effect is the ability of certain crystalline materials (such as lead zirconate titanate in ultrasound transducers) to convert mechanical deformation (pressure) into electrical voltage and vice versa. In ultrasound, an alternating electrical current deforms the piezoelectric crystal, generating sound waves; returning echoes deform the crystal and generate electrical signals that are processed into images. The photoelectric effect and Compton scattering are interactions of X-rays with matter relevant to radiography. Pair production occurs at very high photon energies above 1.02 MeV.

Reference: Grainger & Allison's Diagnostic Radiology, 7th ed.

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