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handbook of modern sensors

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3.6 Piezoelectric Effect 75<br />

that enable new sensor-on-silicon applications, and cylinders with wall thicknesses<br />

in excess <strong>of</strong> 1200 µm for sonar. Piezo cable is also produced using a copolymer.<br />

Unlike piezo ceramic transducers, piezo film transducers <strong>of</strong>fer wide dynamic<br />

range and are also broadband. These wide-band characteristics (near dc to 2 GHz)<br />

and low Q are partly attributable to the polymers’ s<strong>of</strong>tness. As audio transmitters, a<br />

curved piezo film element, clamped at each end, vibrates in the length (d 31 ) mode. The<br />

d 31 configuration is also used for air ultrasound ranging applications up to frequencies<br />

<strong>of</strong> about 50 kHz. When used as a high ultrasonic transmitter (generally >500 kHz),<br />

piezo film is normally operated in the thickness (d 33 ) mode. Maximum transmission<br />

occurs at thickness resonance. The basic half-wavelength resonance <strong>of</strong> 28-µm piezo<br />

film is about 40 MHz: Resonance values depend on film thickness. They range from<br />

low megahertz for thick films (1000 ) to >100 MHz for very thin films (µm).<br />

Piezo film does have some limitations for certain applications. It makes a relatively<br />

weak electromechanical transmitter when compared to ceramics, particularly at<br />

resonance and in low-frequency applications. The copolymer film has maximum operating/storage<br />

temperatures as high as 135 ◦ C, whereas PVDF is not recommended for<br />

use or storage above 100 ◦ C. Also, if the electrodes on the film are exposed, the sensor<br />

can be sensitive to electromagnetic radiation. Good shielding techniques are available<br />

for high-electromagnetic interferences/radio-frequency interferences (EMI/RFI)<br />

environments. Table 3.1 lists typical properties <strong>of</strong> piezo film. Table A.8 provides a<br />

comparison <strong>of</strong> the piezoelectric properties <strong>of</strong> PVDF polymer and other popular piezoelectric<br />

ceramic materials. Piezo film has low density and excellent sensitivity and<br />

is mechanically tough. The compliance <strong>of</strong> piezo film is 10 times greater than the<br />

compliance <strong>of</strong> ceramics. When extruded into thin film, piezoelectric polymers can<br />

be directly attached to a structure without disturbing its mechanical motion. Piezo<br />

film is well suited to strain-sensing applications requiring a very wide bandwidth and<br />

high sensitivity. As an actuator, the polymer’s low acoustic impedance permits the<br />

efficient transfer <strong>of</strong> a broadband <strong>of</strong> energy into air and other gases.<br />

The piezoelectric effect is the prime means <strong>of</strong> converting mechanical deformation<br />

into electrical signal and vice versa in the miniature semiconductor <strong>sensors</strong>. The effect,<br />

however, can be used only for converting the changing stimuli and cannot be used<br />

for conversion <strong>of</strong> steady-state or very slow-changing signals.<br />

Because silicon does not possess piezoelectric properties, such properties can be<br />

added on by depositing crystalline layers <strong>of</strong> the piezoelectric materials. The three<br />

most popular materials are zinc oxide (ZnO), aluminum nitride (AlN), and the socalled<br />

solid-solution system <strong>of</strong> lead–zirconite–titanium oxides Pb(Zr,Ti)O 3 known as<br />

PZT ceramic, basically the same material used for fabrication <strong>of</strong> discrete piezoelectric<br />

<strong>sensors</strong> as described earlier.<br />

Zinc oxide in addition to the piezoelectric properties also is pyroelectric. It was<br />

the first and most popular material for development <strong>of</strong> ultrasonic acoustic <strong>sensors</strong>,<br />

surface-acoustic-wave (SAW) devices, microbalances, and so forth. One <strong>of</strong> its advantages<br />

is the ease <strong>of</strong> chemical etching. The zinc oxide thin films are usually deposited<br />

on silicon by employing sputtering technology.<br />

Aluminum nitride is an excellent piezoelectric material because <strong>of</strong> its high acoustic<br />

velocity and its endurance in humidity and high temperature. Its piezoelectric coeffi-

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