Patent ID: 8672455

Claim:
A piezoelectric element comprising: a first electrode disposed on a substrate, the first electrode including first and second tapered side surfaces; a piezoelectric layer disposed on the first electrode, the piezoelectric layer including first and second tapered side surfaces; a second electrode disposed on the piezoelectric layer; and a resin layer that covers at least the first and second tapered side surfaces of the first electrode, wherein the first electrode includes a metal layer and an anti-oxidation layer, the metal layer being formed of a base metal, and the anti-oxidation layer is disposed between the metal layer and the piezoelectric layer to prevent contact between the metal layer and the piezoelectric layer, wherein the first and second tapered sides surfaces of the first electrode and the first and second tapered side surfaces of the piezoelectric connect to form a continuous tapered side surface, and wherein the resin layer includes a tapered first side that is configured to match up with the continuous tapered side surface, the resin layer having a second side that is slanted in the same direction as the second electrode in an area where the second electrode covers the resin layer, the resin layer having a third side that contacts with the surface of the substrate.