Tailored domain patterns in piezoelectric crystals

Abstract

Twinning is generally considered to be a nuisance which degrades the performance of piezoelectric oscillators, but this need not be so. Domain configurations can be designed to enhance certain modes of motion, or to eliminate others. Experiments on crystals of gadolinium molybdate and lead germanate have been performed to demonstrate the feasibility of the tailored-domain concept. Multi-domain crystals and ceramics can also be used as high-frequency resonators and as focused acoustic tranducers.