Study of PMN-PT Single Crystals for Resonator Applications

In this paper, the use of a lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate (PMN-PT) single crystal disk as a resonator has been explored. Finite element method (FEM) has been used to simulate both the impedance spectrum and vibration displacement for the PMN-PT disk. Because of the spurious modes, the disk with a full electrode or a partial electrode does not exhibit a clean resonance peak of the fundamental thickness mode vibration. However, a partial electrode can effectively confine the fundamental mode vibration in the electroded region, while the spurious mode vibration still spreads over the whole disk. By using an epoxy support along the edge, these spurious mode vibrations can be absorbed and a clean resonance response can be obtained. In addition to the excellent piezoelectric properties, the PMN-PT single crystal should be a promising material for resonator applications