Response of Piezoelectric Lead–Zirconate–Titanate to Hypervelocity Silver Particles

A lead–zirconate–titanate (PZT) element was studied by bombarding silver particles in the mass range from 1 to 100 pg, and the velocity from 2 to 6 km/s. Output signals were uniquely identified on impact and characterized by Fourier analysis. It was found that incident energies above 100 nJ were uniquely determined by a single PZT element. We discussed its potential as a real-time detector for space dust and debris.