Effect of shock vector/polarization vector configuration on the generation of ultrahigh voltage by adiabatically compressed ferroelectric materials

Abstract

Compact autonomous megawatt-power systems based on shock depolarization of ferroelectric materials are capable of producing kiloampere currents and ultrahigh-voltage pulses with amplitudes exceeding 100 kV. Herein, we report the results of experimental investigations of the generation of ultrahigh voltage by poled Pb0.99(Zr0.95Ti0.05)0.98Nb0.02O3 and Pb0.99(Zr0.52Ti0.48)0.98Nb0.01O3 ferroelectrics subjected to shock loading at different shock vector/polarization vector configurations. Our experiments demonstrated that under loading perpendicular to the polarization vector (transverse stress mode) the ferroelectrics are capable of generating high voltages exceeding 400 kV, while the loading parallel to the polarization vector (longitudinal stress mode) causes a distortion of the depolarization process in ferroelectrics of large thicknesses, resulting in inefficient generation of ultrahigh voltage. It was shown that for transverse semi-planar shock waves, the presence of the longitudinal component of stress due to non-perfect planarity of the shock front can cause a complex electric field distribution in the shock front area, resulting in energy losses in ferroelectrics operating in the ultrahigh-voltage mode. The important finding is that a cylindrical, radially expanding shock wave results in no significant distortion of the depolarization process and energy losses during ultrahigh-voltage generation by transversely shock-compressed ferroelectrics. The experimental results indicate that the voltage amplitude generated by transversely shock-compressed ferroelectrics is directly proportional to the ferroelectric thickness in the range from 6 to 230 mm. We found that over the full range of investigated thicknesses the breakdown-field-on-thickness dependence of shocked ferroelectrics is described by a power law and the mechanism of initiation of electric breakdown does not significantly change with ferroelectric thickness.