Laser interferometry is a well-established technique for the characterization of piezoelectric actuators. In this work, by using a low cost Michelson interferometer, the measurement of the calibration factor and the displacement amplification of a novel piezoelectric flextensional actuator (PFA), designed by using the topology optimization method, is performed. A simple method, based on small phase modulation depth when the PFA is driven by a triangular waveform, allows the absolute interferometer calibration. The free-displacement of the PFA for various drive voltages is measured and the displacement amplification is determined. The linearity and frequencyresponse of the PFA are evaluated up to 20 kHz
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.