Lithium niobate , piezoelectric properties

In this book those ferroelectric solids that respond to shock compression in a purely piezoelectric mode such as lithium niobate and PVDF are considered piezoelectrics. As was the case for piezoelectrics, the pioneering work in this area was carried out by Neilson [57A01]. Unlike piezoelectrics, our knowledge of the response of ferroelectric solids to shock compression is in sharp contrast to that of piezoelectric solids. The electrical properties of several piezoelectric crystals are known in quantitative detail within the elastic range and semiquantitatively in the high stress range. The electrical responses of ferroelectrics are poorly characterized under shock compression and it is difficult to determine properties as such. It is not certain that the relative contributions of dominant physical phenomena have been correctly identified, and detailed, quantitative materials descriptions are not available. 

Acoustic transducers for LMFR plications are usually based on piezoelectric materials. The material used depends on the temperature at which it is to operate, because the piezoelectric properties are lost above the Curie tonperature. At low tonperatures, up to about 2S0°C, lead zirconate titanate ("PZT"), whidi has a Curie point of 3S0X, is acceptable. At higher temperatures lithium niobate, with a Curie point of 1200X, is used. 

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