Single-Crystal Piezo Chips and Stacks


  • Single-Crystal Piezo Chips
  • Stack Constructed from Multiple Single-Crystal Chips
  • Highly Linear Motion with Low Hysteresis

PQ91JKP3

Chip with Copper Top and Bottom Electrodes

PQ91JK

Chip with Bare Top and Bottom Electrodes

PQ9FC1

Stack with Wire Leads

The wire leads on the PQ9FC1 piezo stack are approximately 75 mm long.

Arrows Indicate Direction of Expansion

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Piezo Tutorial

Features

  • <3% Hysteresis at 25 °C Over Full Travel
  • Single-Crystal Chips:
    • Mounting Face Dimensions: 3.0 mm x 3.0 mm
    • Drive Voltage Range: 0 to 1000 V
    • Recommended Load of 24 N (5 lbs)
    • Bare Electrodes or Copper Foil Leads
  • Discrete Crystal Stack:
    • Mounting Face Dimensions: 5.0 mm x 5.0 mm
    • Drive Voltage Range: 0 to 500 V
    • Recommended Load of 64 N (14 lbs)
    • Lead Wires
  • For Use in Open-Loop Setups
  • End Hemispheres and Flat End Plates also Available Separately

Thorlabs' Single-Piezoelectric-Crystal Chips and Piezoelectric-Crystal Stacks are fabricated from lead-based crystals that exhibit highly linear movement with low hysteresis and creep, making these devices well-suited for open loop applications or operation without position control. Electrodes are printed on the top and bottom of each crystal. Single-crystal chips are offered with bare electrodes or with pre-attached copper foil leads. The discrete stack consists of multiple single-crystal chips and copper plates bonded together with epoxy, with wire leads linking the electrodes in the stack. The PQ91JKP3 chip and PQ9FC1 stack come with pre-attached flat ceramic end plates.

The maximum displacement of these actuators is achieved when they are preloaded with the maximum displacement load, which is specified below for each product. The actual value of the maximum displacement varies for each item and must be experimentally determined; however, the maximum displacement will always be larger than the free stroke displacement. Please see the Operation tab for additional information.

Our single-crystal chips have a drive voltage range of 0 to 1000 V, while our piezo crystal stack has a drive voltage range of 0 - 500 V. A black dot on each chip indicates the positive electrode. Each single-crystal stack has a red wire lead connected to its positive electrode.

To accommodate a variety of loading conditions, additional flat ceramic or hemispherical ceramic endplates may be purchased as accessories for these chips. In addition, Thorlabs offers conical end cups, which are compatible with ball contacts possessing diameters of 3.0 mm and 5.0 mm. Please see the Operation tab for information on interfacing piezoelectric actuators with loads, special operational considerations, and data that will allow the lifetimes of these actuators to be estimated when their operational conditions are known.

Single-crystal piezoelectric chips with custom dimensions are available. Vacuum-compatible chips and stacks can also be custom ordered. Please contact Tech Support for more information. To browse our catalog offering of piezoelectric devices, see the selection guide to the right.

Operation Notes

Power Connections
A positive bias should be applied across the device. The positive electrode, marked by a black dot on the piezoelectric chips, should receive positive bias, and the other electrode should be connected to ground. Applying a negative bias across the device may cause mechanical failure. The single-crystal piezo stacks are shipped with wires attached: the positive electrode connected to the red wire, should receive positive bias, and the negative electrode connected to the black wire should be connected to ground.

Preloading
The maximum displacement of these actuators is achieved when they are preloaded with the maximum displacement load, which is specified for each product. The actual value of the maximum displacement varies for each item and must be experimentally determined; however, the maximum displacement will always be larger than the free stroke displacement. Preloading increases the length of the actuator's stroke because the poling process performed during fabrication does not align all ferroelectric domains in the piezoelectric crystal in the same direction. Preloading the actuator mechanically forces many of the domains into alignment. Applying a driving voltage across the piezo material causes the orientations of the ferroelectric domains to rotate so they become aligned with the applied field, and this results in a dimensional change of the piezo material. When more ferroelectric domains are initially aligned in the same direction, the dimensional change of the piezo material in response to the applied driving voltage is greater. Preloads greater than the optimal maximum displacement load result in displacements less than the maximum displacement, as higher loads oppose the switching of the grain orientations in response to the applied driving voltage.

Soldering Wire Leads to the Electrodes
If wire leads must be attached or reattached to the electrodes, a soldering temperature no higher than 370 °C (700 °F) should be used, and heat should be applied to each electrode for a maximum of 2 seconds. Solder the lead to the middle of the electrode and keep the region over which heat is applied as small as possible.

Interfacing a Piezoelectric Element with a Load
Piezoceramics are brittle and have low tensile strength. Avoid loading conditions that subject the actuator to lateral, transverse, or bending forces. When applied incorrectly, an external load that may appear to be compressive can, through bending moments, cause high tensile stresses within the piezoelectric device. Improperly mounting a load to the piezoelectric actuator can easily result in internal stresses that will damage the actuator. To avoid this, the piezoelectric actuator should be interfaced with an external load such that the induced force is directed along the actuator's axis of displacement. The load should be centered on and applied uniformly over as much of the actuator's mounting surface as possible. When interfacing the flat surface of a load with an actuator capped with a flat mounting surface, ensure the two surfaces are highly flat and smooth and that there is good parallelism between the two when they are mated. If the external load is directed at an angle to the actuator's axis of displacement, use an actuator fitted with a hemispherical end plate or a flexure joint to achieve safe loading of the piezoelectric element.

To accommodate a variety of loading conditions, flat ceramic or hemispherical ceramic end plates may be purchased as accessories for these chips. In addition, Thorlabs offers Conical End Cups which feature concave surfaces that can interface with Ø1.5 mm to Ø7.0 mm hemispherical or curved contacts. To attach a load to the piezo chip, we recommend using an epoxy that cures at a temperature lower than 80 °C (176 °F), such as our 353NDPK or TS10 epoxies or Loctite® Hysol® 9340. Loads should be mounted only to the faces of the piezoelectric chip that translate. Mounting a load to a non-translating face may lead to the mechanical failure of the actuator. Some correct and incorrect approaches to interfacing loads with piezoelectric actuators capped with both kinds of end plates are discussed in the following. 

Displacement Plot
Click to Enlarge

Actuation of a lever arm using a piezo element fitted with a flat plate (A, Incorrect), and a hemispherical plate (B, Correct). 
Temperature Rise Plot
Click to Enlarge

Loads properly and improperly mounted to piezo actuators using a variety of interfacing methods. 


The image at left presents incorrect (A, far-left) and correct (B, near-left) methods for using a piezoelectric element to actuate a lever arm. The correct method uses a hemispherical end plate so that, regardless of the angle of the lever arm, the force exerted is always directed along the translational axis of the actuator. The incorrect interfacing of the element and the lever arm, shown at far-left, endangers the piezo element by applying the full force of the load to one edge of the element. This uneven loading causes dangerous stresses in the actuator, including a bending moment around the base.

The image at right shows one incorrect (near-right, A) and three correct approaches for interfacing a flat-bottomed, off-axis load with a piezoelectric actuator. Approaches A and B are similar to the incorrect and correct approaches, respectively, shown in the image at left. Correct approach C shows a conical end cup, such as the PKFCUP, acting as an interface. The flat surface is affixed to the mating surface of the load, and the concave surface fits over the hemispherical dome of the end plate. In the case of correct approach D, a flexure mount acts as an interface between the off-axis flat mounting surface of the load and the flat mounting plate of the actuator. The flexure mount ensures that the load is both uniformly distributed over the surface plate of the actuator and that the loading force is directed along the translational axis of the actuator.

Operating Under High-Frequency Dynamic Conditions
It may be necessary to implement an external temperature-control system to cool the device when it is operated at high frequencies. The maximum operating temperature of these devices is 80 °C (176 °F), and high-frequency operation causes the internal temperature of the piezoelectric device to rise. The dependence of the device temperature on the drive voltage frequency for each product can be accessed by clicking the Info icons, info icon, below. The temperature of the device should not be allowed to exceed its specified maximum operating temperature.

Estimating the Resonant Frequency for a Given Applied Load
A parameter of significance to many applications is the rate at which the piezoelectric actuator changes its length. This dimensional rate of change depends on a number of factors, including the actuator's resonant frequency, the absolute maximum bandwidth of the driver, the maximum current the piezoelectric device can produce, the capacitance of the piezoelectric actuator, and the amplitude of the driving signal. The length of the voltage-induced extension is a function of the amplitude of the applied voltage driving the actuator and the length of the piezoelectric device. The higher the capacitance, the slower the dimensional change of the actuator. 

Quick changes in the applied voltage result in fast dimensional changes to the piezoelectric chip. The magnitude of the applied voltage determines the nominal extension of the chip. Assuming the driving voltage signal resembles a step function, the minimum time, Tmin, required for the length of the actuator to transition between its initial and final values is approximately 1/3 the period of resonant frequency. If there is no load applied to the piezoelectric actuator, its resonant frequency is ƒo and its minimum response time is:


After reaching this nominal extension, there will follow a damped oscillation in the length of the actuator around this position. Controls can be implemented to mitigate this oscillation, but doing so may slow the response of the actuator.

Applying a load to the actuator will reduce the resonant frequency of the piezoelectric chip. Given the unloaded resonant frequency of the actuator, the mass of the chip, m, and the mass of the load, M, the loaded resonant frequency (ƒo') may be estimated: 


Estimating Device Lifetime for DC Drive Voltage Conditions
The lifetime of a piezoelectric device is a function of the operating temperature, applied voltage, and relative humidity conditions. Lifetimes are reduced as a consequence of humidity-driven electrolytic reactions, which occur at the electrodes of the piezoelectric devices when a DC voltage is applied. These reactions both generate hydrogen and result in metal dendrites growing from the cathode towards the anode. The hydrogen liberated by the electrolytic reaction chemically reacts with and degrades the piezoelectric material. Dendrites that grow to electrically connect the cathode and anode result in increasing levels of leakage current. Failed piezoelectric devices are defined as those that exhibit leakage current levels above an established threshold.

A ceramic moisture-barrier layer that insulates Thorlabs' piezoelectric devices on four sides is effective in minimizing the effects of humidity on device lifetime. As there is interest in estimating the lifetime of piezoelectric devices, Thorlabs conducted environmental testing on our ceramic-insulated, low-voltage, piezoelectric actuators. The resulting data were used to create a simple model that estimates the mean time to failure (MTTF), in hours, when the operating conditions of humidity, temperature, and applied voltage are known. The estimated MTTF is calculated by multiplying together three factors that correspond, respectively, to the operational temperature, relative humidity, and fractional voltage of the device. The fractional voltage is calculated by dividing the operational voltage by the maximum specified drive voltage for the device. The factors for each parameter can be read from the following plots, or they may be calculated by downloading the plotted data values and interpolating as appropriate.

In the following trio of plots, the solid-line segment of each curve represents the range of conditions over which Thorlabs performed testing. These are the conditions observed to be of most relevance to our customers. The dotted-line extensions to the solid-line segments represent extrapolated data and represent a wider range of conditions that may be encountered while operating the devices.

Engraved Back of OAP
Click to Enlarge

For an Excel file containing these fT vs. temperature data, please click here.
Calculation of MTTF to Estimate Lifetimes: MTTF = fV * fT * fH
Given the relative humidity conditions, device temperature, and DC operational voltage, the device lifetime can be estimated. It is the product of voltage, temperature, and humidity factors, which can be determined using relationships plotted at right, lower-right, and below.

As an example, when a device of type PK2FSF1 is operated with a voltage of 60 V, at a temperature of 30 °C, and in an environment with 75% relative humidity:
  • From the graph below, the voltage factor is 427 (The maximum rated voltage, Vmax, of the PK2FSF1 is 75 V, giving V/Vmax = 60 V / 75 V = 0.80) 
  • From the graph at right, the temperature factor is 83
  • From the graph at lower-right, the humidity factor is 2.8

Then MTTF = 472 * 83 * 2.8 = 99234.8 hours, which is greater than 11 years.

Note that relationships graphed on this page apply only to Thorlabs' ceramic-insulated, low-voltage, chip-based piezoelectric actuators.


Engraved Back of OAP
Click to Enlarge

For an Excel file containing these fH vs. relative humidity data, please click here.
Engraved Back of OAP
Click to Enlarge

For an Excel file containing these fV vs. V/Vmax data, please click here.

The data used to generate these temperature, voltage, and humidity factor plots resulted from the analysis of measurements obtained from testing devices under six different operational conditions. Different dedicated sets of ten devices were tested under each condition, with each condition representing a different combination of operational voltage, device temperature, and relative humidity. After devices exhibit leakage current levels above a threshold of 100 nA, they are registered as having failed. The individual contributions of temperature, humidity, and voltage to the lifetime are determined by assuming:

  • MTTF = fV(V) * fT(T) * fH(H)
  • A power law dependence for the voltage: fV(V) = A1Vb1
  • An exponential relationship for the relative humidity: fH(T) = A2ecH
  • An Arrhenius relationship for the temperature: fT(H) = A3eb2/T

where A1, A2, A3, b1, b2, and c are constants determined through analysis of the measurement data, V is the DC operational voltage, T is the device temperature, and H is the relative humidity. Because the MTTF has a different mathematical relationship with each factor, the dependence of the MTTF on each factor alone may be determined. These are the data plotted above. The regions of the above curves marked by the blue shading are derived from experimental data. The dotted regions of the curves are extrapolated.

Lifetime testing of these devices continues, and additional data will be published here as they become available. To assist in temperature control, please see our selection of thermoelectric coolers. Temperature and humidity can be monitored using our USB Temperature and Humidity Logger.


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Single-Crystal Piezoelectric Chips

Item # Info Displacement
(Free Stroke)a,b
Dimensions Drive Voltage Range Resonant
Frequencya
Load for Maximum
Displacementc
Blocking
Forceb
External
Electrodes
End
Plates
PQ91JK info 1.2 µm ± 15% 3.0 x 3.0 x 3.0 mm 0 - 1000 V 215 kHz
± 10%
24 N (5 lbs) 60 N
(13 lbs)
Screen-Printed Silver None
PQ91JKP3 info 1.2 µm ± 15% 3.0d x 3.0 x 4.3 mm 0 - 1000 V 185 kHz
± 10%
24 N (5 lbs) 60 N
(13 lbs)
Copper Leads PKJEP4 (2)
  • No Load
  • At 1000 V
  • Displacement varies with loading. When used with this load, these chips achieve the maximum displacement, which is larger than the free-stroke displacement.
  • The max outer dimension including the electrodes is 5.5 mm.
Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey  
+1 Qty Docs Part Number - Universal Price Available
PQ91JK Support Documentation
PQ91JKCustomer Inspired! Single-Crystal Piezo Chip, 1000 V, 1.2 µm Displacement, 3.0 x 3.0 x 3.0 mm, Bare Electrodes
$145.65
Volume Pricing
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PQ91JKP3 Support Documentation
PQ91JKP3Customer Inspired! Single-Crystal Piezo Chip, 1000 V, 1.2 µm Displacement, 3.0 x 3.0 x 4.3 mm, Flat Ceramic End Plates
$163.33
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Piezoelectric Crystal Stack

This piezoelectric crystal stack is composed of nine piezoelectric crystals between ten copper foil electrodes. The electrodes come soldered to wire leads color-coded red for positive and black for negative. The stack has alumina end plates epoxied at either side to protect the electrodes. Due to the use of single-crystal piezo chips, the stack's motion is highly linear and nearly hysteresis free (<3% at 25 °C). Piezoelectric crystal stacks experience increased hysteresis and nonlinearity with increase in operating temperature. Hysteresis graphs taken at 25 °C and 80 °C are provided in the info icon (info icon) below.

Item # Info Displacement
(Free Stroke)a,b
Dimensions Drive Voltage
Range
Resonant
Frequencya
Load for Maximum
Displacementc
Blocking
Forceb
External
Electrodes
End
Plates
PQ9FC1 info 5.0 µm ± 15% 5.0 x 5.0d x 7.5 mm 0 - 500 V 85 kHz ± 15% 64 N (14 lbs) 160 N
(36 lbs)
Copper Foils &
Lead Wires
PKFEP4 (2)
  • No Load
  • At 500 V
  • Displacement varies with loading. When used with this load, these chips achieve the maximum displacement, which is larger than the free stroke displacement.
  • The max outer dimension including the electrodes and wire connection area, but not the wire length, is 7.2 mm.
Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey  
+1 Qty Docs Part Number - Universal Price Available
PQ9FC1 Support Documentation
PQ9FC1Piezoelectric Crystal Stack, 500 V, 5.0 µm Displacement, 5.0 x 5.0 x 7.5 mm, Two Ceramic Flat End Plates
$369.84
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End Cups

  • Compatible with Our Piezoelectric Chips and Stacks (Sold Above)
  • Use with End Hemispheres Available Below
  • Conical End Cups Accept Ball Contacts:
    • From Ø1.5 mm to Ø3.0 mm (PKJCUP)
    • From Ø2.6 mm to Ø5.0 mm (PKFCUP)
  • Restricts Applied Stress to the Axial Direction
  • Sold in Packs of 10

The PKJCUP and PKFCUP 416 stainless steel conical end cups are designed to be used with our piezoelectric chips and stacks when interfaced with the end hemispheres sold below. The conical cup can accept a ball contact with a diameter from 1.5 to 3.0 mm (PKJCUP) or 2.6 to 5.0 mm (PKFCUP). Using a ball contact with a piezo actuator ensures that the applied stress is restricted to the axial direction, limiting the probability of stress-induced failure. They can be affixed either to a flat face of a piezo chip or to the mechanical device that is being actuated. If affixing a cup to a chip or stack, we recommend using an epoxy that cures at a temperature lower than 80 °C (176 °F), such as 353NDPK or TS10 epoxies or Loctite® Hysol® 9340. End cups may be affixed in a similar manner to flat end plates.

Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey  
+1 Qty Docs Part Number - Universal Price Available
PKJCUP Support Documentation
PKJCUPØ3.0 mm Conical End Cup for PZT Actuators, Pack of 10
$41.29
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PKFCUP Support Documentation
PKFCUPCustomer Inspired! Ø5.0 mm Conical End Cup for PZT Actuators, Pack of 10
$29.10
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End Hemispheres and Flat End Plates

End Hemispheres Flat End Plates Compatible
Components
Item # Diameter Item # Dimensions
PKJESP 3.0 mm PKJEP4 3.0 x 3.0 x 0.4 mm PQ91JK
PQ91JKP3a
PKFESP 5.0 mm PKFEP4 5.0 x 5.0 x 0.4 mm PQ9FC1a
  • These items come with flat end plates preinstalled. Additional end plates or hemispheres may be attached via epoxy. Once adhered, do not attempt to remove end plates or hemispheres due to risk of damage to the piezoelectric component.
  • End Hemispheres and Flat End Plates
  • Hemispheres Provide a Single Point of Contact for Actuation
  • Flat Plates Spread Force Across Piezo Face at Contact Point
  • Sold in Packs of 25

The alumina end hemispheres and flat end plates used in our piezoelectric stacks are also available separately. The hemispheres can be used to create a single contact point between a piezoelectric chip or stack and a lever arm. Alternatively, a hemisphere can be used with a compatible conical end cup (sold above). End plates are used to spread the force at the contact point over the entire surface of the piezoelectric device. When selecting an end hemisphere or flat end plate to adhere to an end face, it is important to match the bottom surface area of the hemisphere or plate to the cross section of the endface in order to ensure that forces are spread evenly over the surface. The end hemispheres have a diameter tolerance of ±0.1 mm, and the end plates have a dimensional tolerance of ±0.04 mm. To secure the end hemisphere or the flat end plate to an end face, any epoxy that cures at a temperature lower than 80 °C is considered safe to use. We suggest using Thorlabs’ 353NDPK High-Temperature Expoy or TS10 Vacuum Epoxy. Additionally, Loctite® Hysol® 9340 can also be used. Once adhered to a piezoelectric device, end plates and end hemispheres should not be removed, as it may cause damage to the device.

Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey  
+1 Qty Docs Part Number - Universal Price Available
PKJESP Support Documentation
PKJESPCustomer Inspired! Ø3.0 mm End Hemisphere, Pack of 25
$37.72
Today
PKFESP Support Documentation
PKFESPCustomer Inspired! Ø5.0 mm End Hemisphere, Pack of 25
$37.72
Today
PKJEP4 Support Documentation
PKJEP4Customer Inspired! 3.0 mm x 3.0 mm x 0.4 mm Flat End Plate, Pack of 25
$10.92
Today
PKFEP4 Support Documentation
PKFEP4Customer Inspired! 5.0 mm x 5.0 mm x 0.4 mm Flat End Plate, Pack of 25
$13.44
Today