Piezoelectric Pb[(Zn 1/3Nb 2/3) 0.91Ti 0.09]O 3 single crystals with a diameter of 2 inches by the solution Bridgman method supported on the bottom of a crucible

Abstract

Piezoelectric Pb[(Zn 1/3Nb 2/3) 0.91Ti 0.09]O 3 (PZNT 91/9) single crystals with a diameter of 2 inches were grown from a solution by the Bridgman method with a PbO flux supported on the bottom of the crucible. This type of Bridgman method is more suitable for growing large/heavy crystals than the suspended type of Bridgman method. The crystals were grown in a platinum crucible and the growth speed was 0.20–0.50 mm/h. The obtained crystals were about 2 inches in diameter×1/2 inches in length (weight=368 g) and were a light brown color. Forty-two pieces of 0.4 mm wafer were obtained from this crystal. The quality of some wafers was excellent. From these results, it is reasonable to expect that mass production of large crystals of PZNT 91/9 can be realized in the near future.