Piezoelectric Crystal Research Articles

Shear horizontal guided wave transducer based on a novel piezoelectric crystal: KCsMoP2O9 grown by kyropoulos method

Shear horizontal guided wave transducer based on a novel piezoelectric crystal: KCsMoP2O9 grown by kyropoulos method

Dispersion and bandgap feature of coupled Bloch waves in one-dimensional piezoelectric semiconductor phononic crystal with PN junction

Dispersion and bandgap feature of coupled Bloch waves in one-dimensional piezoelectric semiconductor phononic crystal with PN junction

Smart analysis of sandwich foldable cylinders as gymnastic accessories

A novel smart analysis of sandwich composite cylindrical shell is presented in this article. It is assumed that the sandwich shell is manufactured from the graphene origami reinforced copper core between two intelligent layers. The proposed structure in this article can be used as an idealized model for cylinder shapes in gymnastic sport and physical therapy units. The virtual work principle in the piezo elasticity framework and the cylindrical coordinate system is extended to derive governing equations. To arrive at more accurate results, a third order shear deformable model is extended for kinematic relations. The electro elastic responses are explored using the analytical method to seek impact of main parameters of the composite structure such as foldability parameter, graphene content percent, and applied electric potential on the electro elastic strain, deformation and stress results.

Flexoelectronics of a centrosymmetric semiconductor cylindrical nanoshell

Cylindrical shell-type semiconductors are essential for sensing and energy harvesting when integrated into surfaces of certain equipment, such as spacecraft, marine devices, and portable electronics, where mechanical forces play a significant impact on charge transport. Traditionally, such functionalities are only manifested in piezoelectric or pyroelectric crystals that possess non-centrosymmetry. Here, we theoretically investigate electronic behaviors driven by strain gradient-induced flexoelectric polarization in a centrosymmetric semiconductor cylindrical nanoshell, expanding the flexoelectronics in shell structures. The governing equations and accompanying boundary conditions are formulated simultaneously using the principle of virtual work and the fundamental lemma of the calculus of variation. Electromechanical interactions through static bending and forced vibration analyses of the newly developed model are systematically investigated. Under localized force excitation, the distribution of mobile charges is manipulated by tuning loading magnitudes and areas. The effects of doping levels on electric potentials and mobile charges are explored to show the interaction mechanism between flexoelectric and semiconducting properties. Moreover, the natural frequencies and modes of all mechanical displacements, electric potentials, and carrier concentration perturbations within the shell are identified. This paper provides a new approach for designing shell-shaped sensors and energy harvesters specifically for centrosymmetric semiconductors.

Investigation of Innovative High-Response Piezoelectric Actuator Used as Smart Actuator–Sensor System

This paper presents an experimental analysis of a high-response piezoelectric actuator system for the modular design of hydraulic digital fluid control units. It focuses on determining static and dynamic characteristics, forming the basis for developing a smart Industry 4.0 component that incorporates both actuator and sensor function. The design process examines the main challenges, advantages, disadvantages, and working principles to define parameters that impact the actuator’s behaviour and performance. The new piezoelectric actuator system features three piezoelectric stack actuators in series, enabling simultaneous actuation and sensing by applying and measuring the electrical voltage at each piezo element. The experimental setup and test methodology are explained in detail, revealing that the new design, combined with an appropriate open-loop or closed-loop control method, offers superior actuator stroke control, high stroke resolution, and a high-dynamic step response. This paper proposes a concept of a smart piezo actuator system focused on I4.0 and an actuator administration shell, integrated with 5G and RFID technology, which will allow automatic plug-and-play functionality and efficient interconnection, communication, and data transfer between the hydraulic valve and the piezoelectric actuator system.

Characterization of Elastic Constants of Langatate Single Crystals with 32 Symmetry Using Ultrasonic Pulse‐Echo Technique

AbstractIn this study, the propagation of plane waves in the lanthanum gallium tantalate (langatate, LGT) single crystals is investigated. Moreover, the flight time of different waves in the LGT rectangular parallelepiped sample is measured using the ultrasonic pulse‐echo (UPE) technique, and the elastic constants of the LGT sample are determined. The experimental results clearly show echoes corresponding to the longitudinal and transverse waves along the x‐axis. The waves along the z‐axis have a similar property. However, the waves along the y‐axis are more complex than those along the x‐ and z‐axes. The echoes corresponding to the quasi‐longitudinal waves along the y‐axis are clear, but those corresponding to the transverse and quasi‐transverse waves along the y‐axis are not. The elastic constant can be accurately determined if the wave echoes corresponding to this constant propagate without distinct distortion and are clear; otherwise, it may be impossible to accurately determine the constant using UPE. All elastic constants except of the LGT single crystals can be determined using UPE from one sample. This study uses UPE to provide a reference for the characterization of elastic constants of piezoelectric crystals with 32 symmetry from one sample.

Interdigitated-comb piezoelectric phononic crystals for innovative SAW devices

In this paper, piezoelectric phononic crystals made up of interdigitated combs in floating potential condition are studied. Calculation of the dispersion curves shows that, in addition to Bragg bandgaps due to the presence of periodic electrodes, supplementary bandgaps are present corresponding to electrical resonance/antiresonance of the comb pairs. Calculation of the reflection coefficient of finite-sized mirrors reveals the presence of high amplitude reflection coefficient lobes near these bandgap frequencies. The electrical response of single port resonators using these interdigitated comb mirrors fabricated with Al metallization on LiTaO3 POI substrate is contrasted with that of a resonator with classical mirrors, providing experimental verification of this mechanism for bandgap opening. Possible applications for SAW device design are finally discussed.

Thermodynamic potential construction and biaxial stress analysis of K0.4Na0.6NbO3 single crystals

The macroscopic properties of piezoelectric materials can be profoundly influenced by stress. In this research, thermodynamic potential parameters of K0.4Na0.6NbO3 (KNN) single crystals have been experimentally quantified to assess the effects of stress. Leveraging the Landau thermodynamic potential theory, it has been identified that the application of biaxial tensile stress causes a significant elevation in both the piezoelectric property and phase transition temperature in KNN crystals. This transition remarkably extends their working range and improves the material's applicated potential. The coherence between these computational outcomes and experimental data—from the strategic growth of KNN single crystals with internal stress—underscores the reliability of our findings (dielectric constant from 213 to 1274, TO-T from 180 to 234 °C). Additionally, theoretical calculation predicts a potential enhancement in the piezoelectric capabilities of KNN single crystals. This study provides valuable insights for the growth of high-quality piezoelectric crystals and further promotes the application of lead-free piezoelectric materials.

Near Stochiometric LiNbO3 Crystal: the Piezoelectric Features and the Shear Horizontal Guided Wave Transducer for Structural Health Monitoring up to 650 °C.

The application of shear horizontal (SH) guided wave transducers in high-temperature structural health monitoring (SHM) is a topic of significant interest across various industrial engineering sectors. In this study, we utilized the novelty piezoelectric crystal of near stoichiometric lithium niobate (NSLN), which exhibited a robust piezoelectric response (d15 = 77.6 pC/N@room temperature). Next, the pure thickness shear vibration mode d15' through size optimization was designed. It was demonstrated that the NSLN-based ultrasonic guided wave transducers utilizing the optimum d15' mode were proficient in transmitting and receiving pure fundamental SH wave (SH0 wave) along two orthogonal main directions (0° and 90°) over a wide frequency range (100-350 kHz), exhibiting strong response to the SH0 wave. Under the driving voltage of 100 V, the signal voltages of the NSLN-based transducer were found to be on the order of 200.3 and 11.8 mV at room temperature and high temperature of 650 °C, respectively. Moreover, the NSLN-based SH0 transducer showcased its better defect localization ability, and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) sensitivity of NSLN-based transducer was evaluated to be 16.1 dB at high temperature of 650 °C. To sum up, the ultrasonic wave transducer based on NSLN crystal demonstrated higher potential applications for in situ SHM under elevated temperatures.

Bragg grating etalon-based optical fiber for ultrasound and optoacoustic detection

Fiber-based interferometers receive significant interest as they lead to miniaturization of optoacoustic and ultrasound detectors without the quadratic loss of sensitivity common to piezoelectric elements. Nevertheless, in contrast to piezoelectric crystals, current fiber-based ultrasound detectors operate with narrow ultrasound bandwidth which limits the application range and spatial resolution achieved in imaging implementations. We port the concept of silicon waveguide etalon detection to optical fibers using a sub-acoustic reflection terminator to a Bragg grating embedded etalon resonator (EER), uniquely implementing direct and forward-looking access to incoming ultrasound waves. Precise fabrication of the terminator is achieved by continuously recording the EER spectrum during polishing and fitting the spectra to a theoretically calculated spectrum for the selected thickness. Characterization of the EER inventive design reveals a small aperture (10.1 µm) and an ultra-wide bandwidth (160 MHz) that outperforms other fiber resonators and enables an active detection area and overall form factor that is smaller by more than an order of magnitude over designs based on piezoelectric transducers. We discuss how the EER paves the way for the most adept fiber-based miniaturized sound detection today, circumventing the limitations of currently available designs.

Propose Theoretical Foundations for Analyzing the Dynamic Control and Optimizing the Structure of Multifunctional Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Material Plate Integrated Piezoelectric

In the fields of aviation, energy, construction, biomedicine, chemical technology, and some other fields, the use of functionally graded materials (FGMs) plates, multifunctional carbon nanofibers reinforced material plates, piezoelectric plates, and several others are increasingly popular. The behavior of material plates can be analyzed through partial differential equations (PDEs). However, the PDEs are for complex problems such as solid-liquid interactions, thermoelectric mechanical environments, functional material plates in multi-physics environments, and others that are very difficult or impossible to find a solution. In many numerical methods have been researched and developed, the finite element method (FEM) is a widely used and effective method to find approximate solutions of the PDEs. But the FEM has certain limitations in element techniques, discretizing the weak form for the plate structure problems with many degrees of freedom significantly, and affects the accuracy and efficiency of calculation. Proposing improvements to traditional FEM combines dynamic control analysis in the presence of piezoelectric crystals and optimization method algorithms, meeting the increasing requirements in analyzing the behavior of carbon nanofiber material plates used in many fields. On this basis, the article presents some theoretical foundations to solve the problem of dynamic control and optimizing the structure of multifunctional carbon nanofiber-reinforced material plates with integrated piezoelectric crystal.

Mathematical model of fatigue degradation of cylindrical piezo element of linear micro piezo motor

In the article, a mathematical model has been constructed and investigated by analyzing the problem of disintegration during torsion of the cylindrical shaped piezo element in the linear piezoelectric engine. Nonlinear differential equations expressing the expansion of the disintegration surface formed during the torsion of the piezo element under the influence of variable torsional moment have been formulated. Guidelines determining the initial degradation period for the development of the disintegration process have been obtained, and based on the developed mathematical model, displacement curves of the disintegration surface motion have been established.

Bandgap Calculation and Experimental Analysis of Piezoelectric Phononic Crystals Based on Partial Differential Equations.

Focusing on the bending wave characteristic of plate-shell structures, this paper derives the complex band curve of piezoelectric phononic crystal based on the equilibrium differential equation in the plane stress state using COMSOL PDE 6.2. To ascertain the computational model's accuracy, the computed complex band curve is then cross-validated against real band curves obtained through coupling simulations. Utilizing this model, this paper investigates the impact of structural and electrical parameters on the bandgap range and the attenuation coefficient in the bandgap. Results indicate that the larger surface areas of the piezoelectric sheet correspond to lower center bands in the bandgap, while increased thickness widens the attenuation coefficient range with increased peak values. Furthermore, the influence of inductance on the bandgap conforms to the variation law of the electrical LC resonance frequency, and increased resistance widens the attenuation coefficient range albeit with decreased peak values. The incorporation of negative capacitance significantly expands the low-frequency bandgap range. Visualized through vibration transfer simulations, the vibration-damping ability of the piezoelectric phononic crystal is demonstrated. Experimentally, this paper finds that two propagation modes of bending waves (symmetric and anti-symmetric) result in variable voltage amplitudes, and the average vibration of the system decreases by 4-5 dB within the range of 1710-1990 Hz. The comparison between experimental and model-generated data confirms the accuracy of the attenuation coefficient calculation model. This convergence between experimental and computational results emphasizes the validity and usefulness of the proposed model, and this paper provides theoretical support for the application of piezoelectric phononic crystals in the field of plate-shell vibration reduction.

Vibration of multilayer cantilever beams towards piezoelectric power harvesters

This paper investigates the vibration characteristics of a commonly employed mechanical structure, the cantilever beam, concerning its potential for direct electricity harvesting from piezoelectric crystals. Piezoelectric materials are renowned for their ability to generate electric charges when subjected to mechanical stress. To ensure continuous current generation, these materials require sustained excitation by external forces, typically achieved through vibration. However, piezoelectric crystals lack sufficient elasticity, necessitating attachment to a structurally conducive and easily vibratable framework. The cantilever beam, renowned for its simplicity and widespread use, serves as an ideal platform for this purpose. Layers of piezoelectric material (PZT5H) are affixed to brass-based cantilever beams to create various multilayer configurations. External forces are then applied at the free end of the beam to induce vibration. Given that the harvested power from PZT5H crystals correlates with the mechanical stress they experience, achieving optimal deformation is paramount. This is accomplished by leveraging the resonance effect of vibration, wherein the vibration modes and natural frequencies of the multilayer PZT5H beams must be thoroughly characterized. To this end, numerical methods and Finite Element Analysis via Abaqus software are employed. The vibrations of the brass base layer, as well as single-sided and double-sided PZT5H beams, are analyzed across four distinct mode shapes and corresponding natural frequencies. The study culminates in a comprehensive examination of the relationship between natural frequencies and dimensional parameters of the beams. Ultimately, this research offers valuable insights into the vibration behavior of cantilever beams, laying the groundwork for the development of efficient power harvesting devices utilizing mechanical vibration sources or tailored to specific applications.

Electrical de-poling and re-poling of relaxor-PbTiO3 piezoelectric single crystals without heat treatment

Re-poling of unexpected partially depoled piezoelectric materials conventionally needs to be first fully depoled through annealing above their Curie temperature to revive piezoelectric performances. Here, we investigated de-poling and re-poling of Pb(In1/2Nb1/2)O3-Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-PbTiO3 single crystals under electric fields at room temperature. We found that alternating current electric fields with amplitudes near the coercive field at low frequencies (<10 Hz) can be employed to successfully depolarize poled crystals at room temperature. We also demonstrated a reversible polarization switching process with a relaxor-PbTiO3 single crystal ultrasound transducer without device performance degradations. This experimental observation is supported by phase-field simulation, showing that alternating current electric fields can readily induce de-poling at room temperature, while direct current electric fields induce a transient depoled state only within an uncontrollable short period of time. The findings suggest new strategies for unprecedented in-device tailoring of the polarization states of ferroelectric materials.

Correction to: Acoustic properties of piezoelectric cubic crystals

Correction to: Acoustic properties of piezoelectric cubic crystals

Establishing the morphotropic phase boundary in van der Waals ferroelectrics

The formation of morphotropic phase boundaries (MPBs) is a pivotal strategy in piezoelectric ceramics and crystals, primarily used to enhance the electromechanical coupling. However, the application of this strategy in van der Waals (vdW) piezoelectrics and ferroelectrics has been limited, largely due to challenges in achieving phase coexistence and enabling possible polarization rotation. In this study, we address this gap by synthesizing a Selenium doped vdW ferroelectric, CuInP2(S1−x Se x )6, with a doping range of 0 ⩽ x⩽ 0.15, to create an MPB. Our findings indicate the presence of an MPB near x = 0.05, situated between monoclinic and trigonal phases. This boundary was confirmed using x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscope techniques. Remarkably, the composition at x = 0.05 shows a high dielectric constant (ϵr = 13.8) and an impressive local effective piezoelectric coefficient (d 33eff = 51 pm V−1) at 80 K. Additionally, an unusual softening of the Young’s modulus was observed near MPB. These results are crucial for enhancing electromechanical coupling in vdW layered materials and herald new avenues for the design and optimization of piezoelectric and electromechanical properties in these materials.

Promoting Periodical Poling in Lithium Niobate Crystal Through Surface Acoustic Wave‐Induced Local Lattice Activation

AbstractAchieving precise construction of ferroelectric domain structure in lithium niobate (LN) crystals holds significance for expanding the applications of periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN), especially in nonlinear frequency conversion. However, challenges exist during the application of electric field for poling, especially for small‐period PPLN crystals, where ferroelectric domains in LN crystals tend to unevenly expand laterally, making it hard to precisely control the domain structures. LN, as a piezoelectric crystal, has the capability to generate energy‐carrying surface acoustic waves (SAW). Herein, an method is presented to optimize the periodic poling process by integrating SAW and poling on a LN chip, which remarkably reduces the poling electric field by 10%, attributed to the enhanced local lattice vibrations during SAW propagation. The integrated SAW and poling chip achieves a 9 µm‐period PPLN crystal. Through second harmonic generation, a nonlinear light conversion from 1158 to 579 nm is realized, exhibiting a nonlinear optical efficiency up to 17.4%. This efficiency aligns with the theoretical prediction, validating the high‐quality domain structure. This integrated chip provides a unique opportunity for manipulating ferroelectric domain with high‐precision, benefiting a wide range of applications in nonlinear‐optics, ferroelectrics, and integrated optics.

Acoustic Loss in LiNb1−xTaxO3 at Temperatures up to 900 °C

Lithium niobate‐lithium tantalate solid solutions are new piezoelectric crystals that enable to combine the advantages of their edge compounds with respect to the high thermal stability of lithium tantalate and the high Curie temperature of lithium niobate. This study aims to determine of the acoustic losses of bulk resonators with varying Nb/Ta ratios and their correlation with charge transport at temperatures up to 900 °C and at reduced oxygen partial pressures. Techniques such as resonant piezoelectric spectroscopy and contactless resonant ringdown spectroscopy are used to determine the acoustic losses. Further, the electrical conductivity is determined by impedance spectroscopy. A one‐dimensional physical model for vibrating plates is fitted to the data to extract key parameters such as piezoelectric coefficients and elastic modulus as a function of temperature. Noncontacting determination of loss excludes the impact of metal electrodes and reveals up to 300 °C values in the order of Akhiezer‐type losses. Resonators operated at 2 MHz show a rapid loss increase above about 450 °C, which is attributed to the piezoelectric/carrier relaxation. The latter follows from atomistic models using the key parameters mentioned and the electrical conductivity. The modeling includes variation of the resonance frequency and suggests higher resonance frequencies to lower the acoustic loss.

A New SPQC Biosensor for the Detection of a New Target of Escherichia/Shigella Genera Based on a Novel Method of Synthesizing Long-Range DNA.

The rapid and sensitive detection of Escherichia/Shigella genera is crucial for human disease and health. This study introduces a novel series of piezoelectric quartz crystal (SPQC) sensors for detecting Escherichia/Shigella genera. In this innovative biosensor, we propose a new target and novel method for synthesizing long-range DNA. The method relies on the amplification of two DNA probes, referred to as H and P amplification (HPA), resulting in the products of long-range DNA named Sn. The new target was screened from the 16S rRNA gene and utilized as a biomarker. The SPQC sensor operates as follows: the Capture probe is modified on the electrodes. In the presence of a Displace probe and target, the Capture can form a complex with the Displace probe. The resulting complex hybridizes with Sn, bridging the gap between the electrodes. Finally, silver wires are deposited between the electrodes using Sn as a template. This process results in a sensitive response from the SPQC. The detection limit of the SPQC sensor is 1 CFU/mL, and the detection time is within 2 h. This sensor would be of great benefit for food safety monitoring and clinical diagnosis.