Uniaxial-stress induced phase transitions in [001]c-poled 0.955Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.045PbTiO3

TL;DR

This study investigates stress-induced phase transitions in [001]c-poled PZN-4.5PT, revealing reversible lattice strain changes and depolarization effects crucial for underwater projector applications.

Contribution

It provides experimental evidence of uniaxial stress-induced phase transitions and their effects on lattice strain and polarization in PZN-PT crystals.

Findings

Stress induces rhombohedral to orthorhombic phase transitions.

Transitions involve polar vector rotation in the monoclinic plane.

Net depolarization occurs under longitudinal stress, affecting device performance.

Abstract

First-order, rhombohedral to orthorhombic, stress-induced phase transitions have been evidenced by bulk charge-stress measurements and X-ray diffraction derived lattice strain measurements in [001]c-poled PZN-4.5PT. The transitions are induced by uniaxial, compressive loads applied either along or perpendicular to the poling direction. In each case, they occur via rotation of the polar vector in the Cm monoclinic plane and the induced lattice strain is hysteretic yet reversible. Although no depoling is observed in the transverse mode, net depolarization is observed under longitudinal stress which is important for the use of [001]c-poled PZN-PT and PMN-PT single crystals in Tonpilz-type underwater projectors.