Papers by Keyword: Domain Texture

Abstract: Our research investigates the correlations between domain texture and microstructural features, including crystallographic texture in bulk and thin film polycrystalline materials to understand the development of piezoelectric and other anisotropic properties in a number of rapidly evolving lead free piezoelectric materials. We investigate approaches to understanding polarization distributions by starting from polarization measurements. In addition, 2D and 3D microstructural simulations are carried out in all types of ferroelectrics to rationalize and then engineer their equilibrium and kinetic response. This paper discusses recent findings associated with bulk piezoelectricity, phase stability, and ferroelastic and ferroelectric domain motion for materials such as Ba(Ti_0.8Zr_0.2)O₃-x(Ba_0.7Ca_0.3)TiO₃ (BZT-BCT) and Bi_0.5Na_0.5TiO₃ (BNT). Conventional and synchrotron-based x-ray diffraction, electron and optical microscopy and piezoelectric characterization techniques are employed to assess texture, both as a function of poling and temperature. The coupling between microstructure and the inherent directional biases fundamental to piezoelectric and ferroelectric performance enable consideration of orientation and anisotropy in systems with unique constraints.

Abstract: With the proliferation of several types and classes of high performance ceramic materials, the screening, evaluation and integration of new materials into structures and devices require a new and more effective approach. Evaluation on the nano-scale of the mechanical characteristics of new ceramic materials requires multiple complementary metrology tools. We report here about an advanced metrology tool, cathodoluminescence (CL) spectroscopy, which has a potential to rapidly screen and evaluate residual stress characteristics in advanced ceramic materials and structures. Nano-scale stress measurements are made in situ into an integrated metrology vacuum chamber in a field-emission gun scanning electron microscope (FEG-SEM). Complementing this tool, we also describe a new image analysis based on CL emission for fast screening and ranking of domain structures in ferroelastic ceramics. The end result of this paper is to show how crystallographic and mechanical characteristics of ceramics can be quantitatively characterized in a hybrid device combining electro-stimulated imaging and spectroscopic outputs.

Abstract: Determination of the domain textures in many lead zirconate titanate (PZT) piezoelectrics can be complicated by the presence of second phases, internal strains and small differences in lattice parameters for the commonly used 002 and 200:020 peaks. The domain texture is influenced by the applied polarization necessary for these materials to demonstrate piezoelectricity. In this paper we explore the use of 022:202 and 220 peaks for evaluating the domain textures and helping resolve the complexities of texture analysis in the presence of multiple phases. The two materials explored in this paper include a nominally single phase tetragonal PZT material and a mixed phase tetragonal-monoclinic lead magnesium niobate (PMN)-PZT alloy.