Self-poling and DC poling of Mn doped Pb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃-Pb(ZrTi)O₃ single crystals grown by a solid state crystal growth process

Acceptor Mn-doped Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O-3-Pb(ZrTi)O-3 (PMN-PZT) single crystals (SCs) grown by a solid state crystal growth (SSCG) process electrode with Ag at 650 degrees C showed a high piezoelectric coefficient (d(33)) of 520 pC N-1 at 25 degrees C by self-poling, i.e. without any additional poling process. Upon heating above the Curie temperature (T-c), the impedance characteristics' oscillation peak due to piezoelectricity disappears. However, as the temperature falls below T-c, these oscillation peaks reemerge around T-c. And when the temperature is further lowered to around RT, the impedance characteristics return to almost the original state. The d(33) values of the non-poled SCs, initially 520 pC N-1, increased to 910 pC N-1 after DC poling (DCP) and to 1170 pC N-1 after field cooling (FC)-DCP. These values surpass those of commercially available high-Qm PZT ceramics. These high-Qm PMN-PZT single crystals developed using the SSCG method demonstrate huge potential for future transducer applications.