Processing Methods to Fabricate Reliable Device Elements of PMN-PT Piezoelectric Single Crystals

The reliability of PMN-PT piezo crystal elements operating under high drive is vitally important for Navy sonar transducers and other high-power acoustic devices. The goals of the proposed tasks are to enhance the reliability of the PMN-PT crystal elements by resolving the challenges that exist in the machining, processing and assembling of PMN-PT crystal elements, and to make it ready for the utilization of PMN-PT crystals in Navy transducer applications. We propose the following phase II tasks: improve mechanical processing/finishing of crystal elements, investigate electroding and bonding methods for optimal adhesive strength, develop mass-production method for crystal wedges, and perform reliability test on prototype navy transducers to evaluate improvements in reliability for crystal elements. We propose a budget of $749541.42 to carry out the planned works in a period of 24 months. A subcontract to Progeny Systems Corporation is for tests on the prototype of navy transducers. By the end of the contract period, we will evaluate the techniques developed and determine the best approach for machining and processing/finishing of PMN-PT single crystal elements, which would be ready for mass-production, particularly for Navy transducer applications.