An ultrasonic probe having one or more piezoelectric ceramic elements, each having a respective bulk acoustic impedance. Each element has a respective front face and a respective piezoelectric ceramic layer integral therewith to provide efficient acoustic coupling between the probe and a medium under examination by the probe. The respective piezoelectric layer of each element includes shallow grooves disposed on the respective front face of each piezoelectric element. A groove volume fraction of the piezoelectric layer is selected to control acoustic impedance of the piezoelectric layer so as to provide a desired acoustic impedance match between the bulk acoustic impedance of the element and an acoustic impedance of a medium under examination by the probe. Electrodes extend into and contact the grooves, imposing electrical boundary requirements that support a desired electrical field distribution within the element. <IMAGE>
