Patent ID: 8080923
Filing Date: 2011-12-20
Classification: C04B,H01L

Abstract:
1. A piezoelectric/electrostrictive membrane element comprising: a ceramic substrate; a membranous piezoelectric/electrostrictive portion including a piezoelectric/electrostrictive body comprising a large number of crystal particles having a lead zirconate titanate piezoelectric/electrostrictive ceramic composition; and membranous electrodes electrically connected to the piezoelectric/electrostrictive portion; wherein the crystal particles each include a crystal main body portion defining a core portion and having a predetermined crystal structure, and a surface layer portion defining a shell portion and having a crystal structure which is different from the predetermined crystal structure of the crystal main body portion, wherein a composition of the crystal main body portion is the same as that of the surface layer portion, and wherein the shell portion of the crystal particles is present in locations where adjacent crystal particles contact each other within the piezoelectric/electrostrictive body defining interior grain boundaries between the adjacent crystal particles within the piezoelectric/electrostrictive body, and wherein the piezoelectric/electrostrictive portion is bonded in a solid state to the substrate directly or via the electrodes.