Hybrid stockbarger zone-leveling melting method for directed crystallization and growth of single crystals of lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate (PMN-PT) solid solutions and related piezocrystals

1. A crystal growth system, comprising:

a triple-zone temperature chamber co-axially containing a crucible assembly, having at least three growth sections separated from said temperature chamber by at least two baffles and having sufficient separation therefrom to allow movement there-through during a use;

at least one high temperature heating elements; and

means for controllably moving said crucible assembly within said triple-zone chamber during said use.

2. A transducer, formed by a method of forming a crystalline based material, comprising the steps of:

providing a precursor material;

loading at least said precursor material into at least one crucible;

placing said now-loaded crucible into a rigid ceramic member;

filling a space formed between said crucible and said ceramic member with at least one powdered ceramic and forming a crucible assembly;

providing a vertical furnace assembly containing at least a narrow high-temperature zone, an upper low-temperature zone, and a lower low-temperature zone, wherein said low-temperature zones are adjacent respective thermal boundaries and each have a negative thermal gradient vertically bounding said high-temperature zone;

inserting each said crucible assembly into said furnace assembly and positioning each said crucible assembly on a means for positioning said crucible relative to said high-temperature zone;

providing a means for controlling said crucible assembly, said furnace assembly, and said means for positioning;

operating said furnace assembly and forming an as-grown crystalline material in said crucible at a rate from 0.2 to 2.5 mm/hr;

maintaining a temperature gradient at a growth interface in said crucible adjacent said high-temperature zone of from 10° C./cm to about 40° C./cm during said step of operating to form said crystalline material;

said transducer comprising:

said precursor material includes a PMN-PT-based material;

a single crystal element material having the following chemical formula:

(1 −y )Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)1 −x Ti x O3 +y Pb(R1/2Nb1/2)O3

wherein x is defined as molar % 0.00 to 0.50, y is defined as molar % 0.00 to 0.25, and R is selected from Sc, Yb, Sn, In, Co, Lu, and Tm.

3. A transducer, according to claim 2 , wherein said transducer has a chemical formula according to formula VII and an effective Tc ° C. of greater than 176° C. in use.

4. A PMN-PT based material, comprising:

a single crystal; and

said single crystal having a formula:

(1 −y )Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)1 −x Ti x O3 +y Pb(R1/2Nb1/2)O3  (IX)

wherein x is defined as molar % 0.00 to 0.50, y is defined as molar % 0.00 to 0.25, and R is selected from Sc, Yb, Sn, In, Co, Lu, and Tm.

5. A PMN-PT based material, according to claim 4 , wherein: said single crystal element has at least one of a <001>, <110>, and <111> orientation.

6. A PMN-PT based material, according to claim 5 , wherein and said single crystal has a T c at least from 5 to 10% higher than known PMN-PT crystalline materials.