What term describes the actual time from the start of a pulse to the end of a pulse?

Pulse duration is the term that describes the actual time from the start of a pulse to the end of a pulse in ultrasound. It is specifically defined as the length of time that a single pulse of ultrasound is emitted. This measurement is critical in sonography as it influences the resolution and penetration of the ultrasound waves.

A shorter pulse duration results in better axial resolution because the system can distinguish between closely spaced structures more effectively. In contrast, longer pulse durations can lead to poorer resolution and potential overlap in the signals received from adjacent tissues. The pulse duration is determined by the number of cycles within the pulse and the period of each cycle, making it a fundamental aspect of ultrasound physics.

Other terms, such as pulse repetition time and pulse interval, refer to different aspects of ultrasound operation. Pulse repetition time is the time from the beginning of one pulse to the beginning of the next, while pulse interval can refer to a variety of timing measures that do not strictly define the pulse itself. Pulse bandwidth refers to the range of frequencies contained within the pulse, which influences image quality and resolution, but does not describe the time characteristics of the pulse. Understanding these distinctions is crucial in the practice of sonography.