Solid state growth of piezoelectric single crystals

Solid state single crystal growth (SSCG) is a promising alternative to melt growth methods for obtaining single crystals. SSCG has many benefits including cost effectiveness, producing crystals with no composition gradient and allowing the growth of crystals that are difficult to obtain due to incongruent melting points. This method is based on the abnormal grain growth that occurs naturally when only a small amount of liquid phase is introduced upon sintering. Therefore, as the material does not have to be completely in liquid form the temperature required is reduced. Abnormal grain growth allows a few large grains to grow at a much higher rate, scavenging the matrix grains. This accelerated growth is only stopped when the large grains impinge upon one another. Crystal seeds may be used in the place of abnormal grains and if abnormal grain growth in the matrix is prevented the crystal may grow without impingement for the time allowed. Here, the results of both grain growth and crystal growth experiments using BaTiO3, (Bax,Cax-1)(Tiy,Zry-1 )O3 and Ba(Tix,Zrx-1)O3 are presented. BaTiO3 single crystals have been successfully grown and crystal growth has been observed in (Bax,Cax-1)(Tiy,Zry-1 )O3, Ba(Tix,Zrx-1)O3 and in preliminary experiments using Pb(Tix,Zrx-1)O3.