THE THEORY AND OPERATION OF SHOCK-LOADED FERROELECTRIC TRANSDUCERS

Domino-shaped ferroelectric ceramic pieces were stacked together and explosively shocked, with the direction of shock travel normal to the direction of ceramic polarization. A commercial grade of barium titanate ceramic was used. It was found that the current output from a ceramic element is proportional to the width of the element. The voltage output is proportional to the thickness and the pulse duration to the length of the element in the direction of shock travel. (J.R.D.)