Influence of copper oxide on properties of potassium tantalate niobate single crystals

KT0.62N0.38 and KT0.62N0.38:Cu single crystals are grown by the Czochralski method. The XRD patterns and electric properties of the obtained single crystals are measured. A clear color difference between KT0.62N0.38 and KT0.62N0.38:Cu single crystals is observed although the XRD results indicate that both of them have a same phase. There is a diffraction peak corresponding to copper in the XRD pattern of KT0.62N0.38:Cu single crystals. Combining the brown color and XRD pattern of KT0.62N0.38:Cu single crystals, we speculate the dominating existence of Cu in single crystals. The higher dielectric value is observed in KT0.62N0.38:Cu single crystals because that the existence of Cu in KT0.62N0.38:Cu single crystals decreases the resistance of the grain. Moreover, KT0.62N0.38:Cu single crystals have the lower hysteresis area, which suggests the decrease of the amount of dissipated energy. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.