Improved properties of piezoelectric crystal lead indium niobate-lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate

Lead indium niobate-lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate single crystals of 33 mol% PIN (PIN33-PMN-PT) were grown by a modified Bridgman method. Properties were characterized along the crystal-growth direction. We find that compared with PMN-PT, the properties of PIN33-PMN-PT are significantly improved, with increases in coercive field strength (3x) and thermal depoling temperature (> 40degC) to 6.8 kV/cm and 137degC, respectively. These improvements in electrical and thermal stability expand the operating conditions for PIN-PMN-PT crystals in higher-performance ultrasound applications.