Patent ID: 6088893
Filing Date: 2000-07-18
Classification: H01L,H04R,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for producing a piezoelectric and/or electrostrictive film-type element comprising a fired zirconia substrate and a film-shaped piezoelectric and/or electrostrictive operating section, said zirconia substrate comprising a base plate having at least one hollow space and a thin-walled diaphragm section provided integrally to cover and close an hollow space, said film-shaped piezoelectric and/or electrostrictive operating section comprising a lower electrode, a piezoelectric and/or electrostrictive layer, and an upper electrode layered on an outer surface of said diaphragm section said method comprising:preparing said fired zirconia substrate in which at least said diaphragm section contains alumina;forming said lower electrode on said outer surface of said diaphragm section of said zirconia substrate;subsequently forming said piezoelectric and/or electrostrictive layer on said lower electrode in accordance with a film-forming method by using a piezoelectric and/or electrostrictive material comprising magnesia or a component that converts to magnesia for providing magnesia independently or in a form of a compound so that at least a part of a peripheral edge portion of said piezoelectric and/or electrostrictive layer extends laterally beyond a corresponding peripheral edge portion of said lower electrode to construct an overhang section located opposingly over said diaphragm section; and,firing said piezoelectric and/or electrostrictive layer so that particles principally comprising a compound of alumina and magnesia are allowed to deposit at least at a boundary between said overhang section and a partial region of said diaphragm section located just thereunder so that an incomplete connection state is established between said overhang section and said partial region of said diaphragm section located just thereunder.