Large strain transduction utilizing phase transition in relaxor-ferroelectric Pb (In1/2 Nb1/2) O3 -Pb (Mg1/3 Nb2/3) O3 - PbTiO3 single crystals

Abstract

In this work, we present experimental evidence that under relatively low level drive (<0.1 MV/m) the large strain (∼0.5%) associated with ferroelectric rhombohedral FR -ferroelectric orthorhombic F O phase transition in domain engineered relaxor-ferroelectric single crystals under compressive stress and bias electric field can be captured. We have demonstrated this in mechanically confined ternary Pb (In1/2 Nb1/2) O3 -Pb (Mg1/3 Nb2/3) O 3 - PbTiO3 single crystals poised at the rhombohedral side of the morphotropic phase boundary. Experimental strain-field results, methods of mechanical confinement and drive, and a low frequency, compact, high source level sound projector design are presented. Transducers that operate on a large strain principle as a design rule will benefit from this development. © 2011 American Institute of Physics.