Application study of Mn-doped PIN-PMN-PT relaxor ferroelectric crystal grown by Vertical Gradient Freeze method

A 3-inch Mn:PIN-36%PMN-32%PT (Generation III) relaxor ferroelectric crystal was grown using the Vertical Gradient Freeze method. Crystals of [1, 11] and [111] orientations were prepared and studied, evaluating their dielectric constants, piezoelectric coefficients, electromechanical coupling coefficients, loss tangents and pyroelectric coefficients. It is shown that in pyroelectric applications, [111]-poled crystals are particularly suitable for high performance sensors due to a relatively high pyroelectric coefficient, low loss tangent. In addition, the specific heat is lower as compared to LiTaO₃. It is also shown that the alternating current (AC) poling has a more significant effect on the [001]-poled crystal than on the [011]- and [111]-poled crystals due to the lattice distortion induced by a strong electric field along the [001] direction.