A plasma generator is disclosed. In an embodiment a plasma generator includes a piezoelectric transformer subdivided into an input region and an output region in a longitudinal direction, wherein the piezoelectric transformer comprises an output-side end face facing away from the input region, wherein the plasma generator comprises a passive load arranged permanently in front of the output-side end face, and wherein the plasma generator is configured to generate non-thermal atmospheric-pressure plasma.

A device for producing a non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma and a method for operating a piezoelectric transformer are disclosed. In an embodiment a device includes a piezoelectric transformer, a driver circuit configured to apply an input signal to the piezoelectric transformer and a field probe configured to measure a field strength of an electric field produced by the piezoelectric transformer at a measurement point, wherein the driver circuit is configured to adapt the input signal while taking into account measurement results of the field probe, and wherein the device is configured to produce a non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma.

A piezoelectric sensor with: (i) a capacitive element, comprising piezoelectric material; (ii) a pre-conditioning circuit, comprising circuitry for establishing a polarization of the capacitive element in a polarizing mode; and (iii) signal amplification circuitry for providing a piezoelectric-responsive output signal, in response to charge across the capacitive element in a sensing mode.

An elastic wave device in which a recess is provided on an upper side of a support, a piezoelectric thin film covers the recess, and an IDT electrode is provided on an upper surface of the piezoelectric thin film. A plate wave of an S0 mode or SH0 mode is used. A plurality of grooves are provided in the upper surface or lower surface of the piezoelectric thin film at a portion of the piezoelectric thin film that is positioned on a hollow section.

A device for generating an atmospheric-pressure plasma is disclosed. In an embodiment the device includes a piezoelectric transformer comprising an input region and an output region, wherein the input region is designed to convert an applied alternating voltage into a mechanical oscillation, wherein the output region is designed to convert a mechanical oscillation into a voltage, and wherein the output region adjoins the input region in a longitudinal direction, a contact element fastened to the piezoelectric transformer, the contact element being designed to apply the alternating voltage to the input region and a holder, wherein the contact element is connected to the holder by a form-fit connection, in such a manner that a movement of the piezoelectric transformer in the longitudinal direction, relative to the holder, is prevented.

The present invention relates to a piezoelectric transformer (1) which is divided in the longitudinal direction (L) into an input region (2) and an output region (3), wherein electrodes (4) and piezoelectric material (5) are alternately stacked in the input region (2) and an alternating voltage can be applied to the electrodes (4) in the input region (2), wherein the output region (3) comprises piezoelectric material (9) which effectuates the build-up of an electrical field when alternating voltage is applied in the input region (2), wherein the piezoelectric transformer (1) has an output-side end face (10) which faces away from the input region (2), and lateral edges (13) which extend in the longitudinal direction (L), and wherein the piezoelectric transformer (1) is designed for ionizing atoms or molecules at the output-side end face (10), thereby avoiding ionization of atoms or molecules at the lateral edges (13).

A method of imaging infrared light is provided which comprises: exciting ultrasonic waves in a metal pillar (e.g., Cu pillar); measuring the Time-of-Flight (ToF) of the ultrasonic wave in the waveguide; whereas the ToF is a function of incident Infrared light energy on the waveguide, and reporting the infrared light energy to capture an image. An apparatus of imaging infrared light is provided which comprises: a transducer; a waveguide coupled with the transducer; and a pixel electronic circuit coupled to the transducer, wherein the transducer includes one or more of: PZT, LiNb, AlN, or GaN.

A power converter including: a first branch and a second branch of at least two series-connected switches each, coupled in parallel between a first terminal and a second terminal and having the junction points of their switches coupled to two terminals of application of a first voltage; a third branch and a fourth branch of at least two series-connected switches each, coupled in parallel between a third terminal and a fourth terminal, and having the junction points of their switches coupled to two terminals for supplying a second voltage; and at least one piezoelectric element coupling the first terminal to the third terminal.

An actuator device has an electroactive polymer actuator (35) and an integrated piezoelectric transformer (30) whose primary side (32) and secondary side (34) are formed from different electroactive polymer materials. At least the secondary side (34) of the transformer shares a piezoelectric electroactive polymer layer (36) with the electroactive polymer actuator, so that lower external voltages can be applied to the device.

A vibration actuator that is capable of reducing difference of vibration velocities when a contact member is driven using a plurality of vibrators. The vibration actuator includes a vibrator device and a contact member that moves relative to the vibrator device. The vibrator device includes a plurality of vibrators that are connected in series, and a plurality of inductors that are connected in parallel to the respective vibrators.