Effect on ultrasonic generation of a backplate in electromagnetic acoustic transducers

When constructing an electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT), it is often desirable to incorporate a permanent magnet behind the EMAT coil and an electrically conducting backplate between the coil and the magnet to prevent ultrasonic generation in the magnet by the current in the EMAT coil. This paper investigates the effect of the backplate on the generation of the eddy current and the resultant ultrasonic wave in the sample. We develop analytical expressions for the important physical phenomena and show that the backplate tends to reduce the amplitude of the eddy current and ultrasonic wave generated in the sample. This is dependent on the liftoff between the coil and the sample, and the air gap between the coil and the backplate. Results from modeling have been verified by our experimental measurements.