Single Crystal Growth of Potassium Lithium Niobate for SAW Applications

摘要

We have successfully demonstrated the growth of good quality, crack-free medium size KLN single crystals using the Czochralski method, with dielectric and piezoelectric properties comparable or superior to the best known bronze composition SBN. However, we have been unable to grow large (>1 cm diameter) KLN crystals suitable for SAW characterization without considerable cracking. Therefore, in pursuit of alternative bronze compositions with the potential for large crystal growth, we have initiated work on the growth and characterization of PBN and the stuffed bronze BSKNN. Initial characterization work shows both of these materials to be very promising for future SAW device development, and good quality single crystals of BSKNN with >1 cm square cross-section have already been successfully grown. The physical properties of PBN and BSKNN also make them of interest for other piezoelectric, electro-optic, and nonlinear optic applications in addition to SAW devices.