Characterization of high TC Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-PbZrO3-PbTiO3 single crystals fabricated by solid state crystal growth

Ferroelectric crystals near the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) in the Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O-3-PbZrO3-PbTiO3 ternary system were grown using the solid state crystal growth technique. A MPB composition with a Curie temperature of similar to 205 degrees C was selected for characterization of the piezoelectric properties and temperature dependent behavior. The room temperature electromechanical coupling factors were found to be >= 90% for k(33) and similar to-87% for k(32), respectively, comparable to Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O-3-PbTiO3 (PMN-PT) crystals. The coercive field, being on the order of 5 kV/cm, was found to be nearly double that of the pure PMN-PT. The temperature dependence of the piezoelectric and electromechanical properties showed temperature stability up to 160 degrees C, expanding the temperature usage range for actuator and ultrasonic transducer applications. (c) 2007 American Institute of Physics.