Pulse charging of nanofarad capacitors from the shock depoling of PZT 56/44 and PZT 95/5 ferroelectric ceramics

Abstract

Gas-gun impact techniques have been used to pulse charge nanofarad capacitors from the shock depoling of PZT 56/44 and PZT 95/5 ferroelectric ceramics. The PZT materials were depoled in the normal mode. Pulse powers of hundreds of kilowatts were produced in a few microseconds. The PZT 56/44 material was impacted in the stress range from 4.4 to 11.8 GPa. A maximum load voltage of 55 kV was produced at 7.9 GPa, resulting in a charge release of about 78%. Shock-induced electrical breakdown in the PZT material occurred at 11.8 GPa. The PZT 95/5 material was impacted at 1.4 and 2.9 GPa stress levels. A maximum load voltage of 81 kV was produced at the higher stress, resulting in a charge release of about 74% before electrical breakdown occurred in the PZT material.