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Large signal response and harmonic distortion in piezoelectrics for SONAR transducers

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Abstract

Nonlinearity in the piezoelectric response limits the operating conditions of underwater transducers. In this work, the nonlinear effects are evaluated in terms of electrical current and induced strain as a function of drive level. Nonlinearity is further quantified within the active transduction material by evaluating the total harmonic distortion (THD) in the electromechanical response. Modified single crystals based on the binary lead magnesium niobate—lead titanate system were investigated. It is shown that single crystals show greater mechanical response and reduced THD, enabling operation at higher power levels. The performance of these single crystals is also compared to conventional high power lead zirconate titanate ceramics.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Shujun Zhang and Tom Shrout at the Materials Research Laboratory for their collaboration and insights. Additional thanks to Jun Luo at TRS Technologies, Inc. for providing the single crystal samples. This work was supported by the Office of Naval Research (Arlington, VA), and the views contained do not represent official ONR policy or procedure.

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  1. Applied Research Laboratory, The Pennsylvania State University, P.O. Box 30, Mail Stop 2430A, State College, PA, 16804-0030, USA

    Nevin P. Sherlock & Richard J. Meyer Jr.

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  1. Nevin P. Sherlock
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  2. Richard J. Meyer Jr.
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Correspondence to Nevin P. Sherlock.

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Sherlock, N.P., Meyer, R.J. Large signal response and harmonic distortion in piezoelectrics for SONAR transducers. J Electroceram 28, 202–207 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10832-012-9708-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10832-012-9708-5

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