Growth and characteristics of Mn-doped PMN-PT single crystals

Large sized 0.71PMN-0.29PT single crystals with different Mn-doping content (pure, 1 at.%, 3 at.%) have been grown by a modified Bridgman method. The piezoelectric and dielectric properties of the as-grown crystals are measured. The phase transitions of the poled 0.71PMN-0.29PT with the orientation along 〈001〉 and 〈110〉 directions take place during the heating process. The phase transition of the pure crystals is more complicated than that of the Mn-doped crystals. Both the pure 〈001〉- and 〈110〉-oriented crystals have two dielectric abnormal peaks besides the Curie peak. With Mn-doping, the temperature for the first dielectric abnormal peak shifts to a higher value. The Mn-doping content affects the piezoelectric and dielectric properties of the crystal greatly. 1 at.% Mn-doped crystals possesses a larger coercive field and mechanical quality factor at the expense of a little lower piezoelectric response. The growth and characteristics of pure and Mn-doped 0.71PMN-0.29PT single crystals are reported and discussed in this paper.