Piezoelectric Single Crystal Property Assessment for Cost-Effective Optimized Naval SONAR Transducers

The advanced relaxor-PT piezoelectric crystals, Mn:PIN-PMN-PT (manganese doped Pb(In1/2Nb1/2)O3-Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-PbTiO3), were initially developed by TRS and immediately attracted broad attention for the next generation of high power SONAR transducers due to their greatly improved electromechanical"hardness"(low mechanical loss) with well-maintained, extremely high electromechanical coupling coefficient. To fully evaluate the performance of Mn:PIN-PMN-PT crystals under the operating conditions in high power SONAR transducers, TRS Technologies, Inc. in collaboration with the Pennsylvania State University propose to systematically study the linear and nonlinear behaviors under broad ranges of mechanical stress, electric field and operating temperature. In the phase I program, the large signal, quasistatic measurement under variable stress, temperature and electric field is proposed as a main method of characterization, as it was proved to be effective to disclose the critical properties for SONAR transducer design; however, some preliminary dynamic measurements will be conducted as well. The characteristic internal bias observed in poled Mn:PIN-PMN-PT crystals will be studied to seek the possibility of eliminating the external DC bias in crystal transducer designs; meanwhile, the long term stability and reliability of Mn:PIN-PMN-PT crystals in a high power operating environment will be examined by fatigue and accelerated aging tests.