Electric-field induced strains and pyroelectric coefficients in lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate solid solutions

In order to understand the electrostrictive behavior of Pb(Mg13Nb23)O3-PbTiO3 (PMN-PT) solid solutions, the dielectric constants, the electric field induced strains, the electric-field induced polarization, and the pyroelectric coefficients of (1 − x)PMN-xPT (x = 0.1 ~ 0.4) were investigated in the temperature range −50 °C ~ 200 °C. For x = 0.1 ~ 0.35, where the phase transition is diffuse, the strain has a maxima at the temperature of maximum pyroelectric coefficient (depolarizing temperature) rather than the temperature of maximum dielectric constant (Curie temperature). For x = 0.4, where the phase transition is relatively sharp, the strain decreases monotonically as the temperature increases. Relationships among the above experimental results are discussed.