Abstract: There is provided a laminated piezoelectric ceramic element manufacturing method, wherein, even when the number of internal electrode laminations is increased, the lamination and cutting steps can be simplified, to enhance cutting precision and make cutting cost low. A first laminated body having stripe-like internal electrodes is cut into a plurality of second laminated bodies so as to have a width-direction dimension W corresponding to a width dimension of a laminated piezoelectric ceramic element chip to be ultimately obtained. Two or more second laminated bodies are laminated in the laminating direction to obtain a third laminated body, and the third laminated body is cut in the laminating direction and parallel to the width direction W to obtain a laminated piezoelectric body.

Abstract: A main component has a general formula of {(1?x)(K1-a-bNaaLib)m(Nb1-c-dTacSbd)O3?x(M10.5Bi0.5)nM2O3} (wherein M1 is Ca, Sr or Ba, M2 is Ti, Zr or Sn, 0.005?x?0.5, 0?a?0.9, 0?b?0.3, 0?a+b?0.9, 0?c?0.5, 0?d?0.1, 0.9?m?1.1, and 0.9?n?1.1). At least one specific element selected from the group consisting of In, Sc, Y, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb and Lu is contained at as in sample numbers 46 to 48, 0.1 to 10 mol in total per 100 mols of the main component (preferably, 1.5 to 10 mol). This provides a piezoelectric ceramic composition and a piezoelectric ceramic electronic component that can have a desired high piezoelectric d constant in a consistent and highly efficient manner in both a very low electric field and a high electric field.

Abstract: A pyroelectric ceramic composition contains a compound represented by (Pb1?xCax)(1+a){(Ni1/3Nb2/3)yTi(1?y)}O3 (wherein x, y, and a satisfy 0.20?x?0.27, 0.01?y?0.06, and 0.001?a?0.02, respectively) as a main component and 0.3 to 2.5 mol of Mn per 100 mol of the main component. The amount of segregates containing Ni, Ti, and Mn is 1.0 vol % or less (including 0 vol %) of a fired sinter. A pyroelectric ceramic composition that has an adequately low insulation resistance and a high Curie temperature while achieving satisfactory pyroelectric properties is realized. Since the composition has a high Curie temperature, a thin, small pyroelectric element that withstands a reflow process can be obtained. Since the composition has a low insulation resistance, an infrared detector incorporating a pyroelectric element composed of the composition does not require a load resistance to be provided in parallel to the pyroelectric element and size reduction is possible.

Abstract: There is provided a laminated piezoelectric ceramic element manufacturing method, wherein, even when the number of internal electrode laminations is increased, the lamination and cutting steps can be simplified, to enhance cutting precision and make cutting cost low. A first laminated body having stripe-like internal electrodes is cut into a plurality of second laminated bodies so as to have a width-direction dimension W corresponding to a width dimension of a laminated piezoelectric ceramic element chip to be ultimately obtained. Two or more second laminated bodies are laminated in the laminating direction to obtain a third laminated body, and the third laminated body is cut in the laminating direction and parallel to the width direction W to obtain a laminated piezoelectric body.

Abstract: A main component has a general formula of {(1?x)(K1-a-bNaaLib)m(Nb1-c-dTacSbd)O3?x(M10.5Bi0.5)nM2O3} (wherein M1 is Ca, Sr or Ba, M2 is Ti, Zr or Sn, 0.005?x?0.5, 0?a?0.9, 0?b?0.3, 0?a+b?0.9, 0?c?0.5, 0?d?0.1, 0.9?m?1.1, and 0.9?n?1.1). At least one specific element selected from the group consisting of In, Sc, Y, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb and Lu is contained at as in sample numbers 46 to 48, 0.1 to 10 mol in total per 100 mols of the main component (preferably, 1.5 to 10 mol). This provides a piezoelectric ceramic composition and a piezoelectric ceramic electronic component that can have a desired high piezoelectric d constant in a consistent and highly efficient manner in both a very low electric field and a high electric field.

Abstract: A main component has a general formula of {(1?x)(K1?a?bNaaLib)m(Nb1?c?dTacSbd)O3?x(M10.5Bi0.5)nM2O3} (wherein M1 is Ca, Sr or Ba, M2 is Ti, Zr or Sn, 0.005?x?0.5, 0?a?0.9, 0?b?0.3, 0?a+b?0.9, 0?c?0.5, 0?d?0.1, 0.9?m?1.1, and 0.9?n?1.1). At least one specific element selected from the group consisting of In, Sc, Y, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb and Lu is contained at as in sample numbers 46 to 48, 0.1 to 10 mol in total per 100 mols of the main component (preferably, 1.5 to 10 mol). This provides a piezoelectric ceramic composition and a piezoelectric ceramic electronic component that can have a desired high piezoelectric d constant in a consistent and highly efficient manner in both a very low electric field and a high electric field.

Abstract: A piezoelectric ceramic composition includes a primary component represented by the formula (1-x)(K1-a-bNaaLib)m(Nb1-c-dTacSbd)O3-xM1nM2O3, and 0.1 to 10 moles (preferably 1.5 to 10 moles) of at least one specific element selected from the group consisting of In, Sc, Y, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb, and Lu with respect to 100 moles of the primary component, wherein M1 is Ca, Sr, or Ba M2 is Ti, Zr, or Sn; and x, a, b, c, d, m, and n satisfy 0.005?x?0.1, 0?a?0.9, 0?b?0.3, 0?a+b?0.9, 0?c?0.5, 0?d?0.1, 0.9?m?1.1, and 0.9?n?1.1. Preferably, Mn, Ni, Fe, Zn, Cu, or Mg is further added. As a result, at both a very low and a high electric field, a high piezoelectric d constant can be stably obtained with a high efficiency.

Abstract: A pyroelectric ceramic composition contains a compound represented by (Pb1-xCax)(1+a){(Ni1/3Nb2/3)yTi(1-y)}O3 (wherein x, y, and a satisfy 0.20?x?0.27, 0.01?y?0.06, and 0.001?a?0.02, respectively) as a main component and 0.3 to 2.5 mol of Mn per 100 mol of the main component. The amount of segregates containing Ni, Ti, and Mn is 1.0 vol % or less (including 0 vol %) of a fired sinter. A pyroelectric ceramic composition that has an adequately low insulation resistance and a high Curie temperature while achieving satisfactory pyroelectric properties is realized. Since the composition has a high Curie temperature, a thin, small pyroelectric element that withstands a reflow process can be obtained. Since the composition has a low insulation resistance, an infrared detector incorporating a pyroelectric element composed of the composition does not require a load resistance to be provided in parallel to the pyroelectric element and size reduction is possible.

Abstract: A piezoelectric ceramic composition represented by the formula (1-x) (K1-a-bNaaLib)m(Nb1-c-dTacSbd)O3-x(K1/4Na1/4M31/2) M4O3, wherein M3 represents a metal element that is at least one of Yb, Y, In, Nd, Eu, Gd, Dy, Sm, Ho, Er, Tb, and Lu; M4 represents a metal element that is at least one of Ti, Zr, and Sn; and x, a, b, c, d, and m satisfy the inequalities 0.001?x?0.1, 0?a?0.9, 0?b?0.3, 0?a+b?0.9, 0?c?0.5, 0?d?0.1, and 0.7?m?1.3. The piezoelectric ceramic composition is not sintering resistant and has desired, sufficient piezoelectric properties as well as a sufficient firing temperature range suitable for mass production. Furthermore, the piezoelectric ceramic composition is effective in preventing insufficient polarization and effective in increasing the yield of products.

Abstract: A piezoelectric ceramic composition is represented by [(Pb1-xXx)a{(Nib/3Nb2/3)cTidZr1-c-d}O3] in which X is at least one of Sr, Ba, Ca and La), and the compositional amounts x, a, b, c, and d respectively satisfy 0.001?x?0.1, 0.930?a?0.998, 1.02?b?1.40, 0.1?c?0.6 and 0.3?d?0.6. The specific surface area of the material powder before firing is preferably set to 5 m2/g or more. A piezoelectric ceramic body 1 is fabricated using the piezoelectric ceramic composition. In this manner, a sufficiently high piezoelectric constant can be obtained not only in the electric field range of 400 to 500 V/mm but also in an electric field range of 1 kV/mm or more. Furthermore, a piezoelectric ceramic composition that can be fired at a low-temperature and a piezoelectric ceramic electronic component using this composition can be provided.

Abstract: A piezoelectric ceramic composition represented by the formula (1-x) (K1-a-bNaaLib)m(Nb1-c-dTacSbd)O3-x(K1/4Na1/4M31/2) M4O3, wherein M3 represents a metal element that is at least one of Yb, Y, In, Nd, Eu, Gd, Dy, Sm, Ho, Er, Tb, and Lu; M4 represents a metal element that is at least one of Ti, Zr, and Sn; and x, a, b, c, d, and m satisfy the inequalities 0.001?x?0.1, 0?a?0.9, 0?b?0.3, 0?a+b?0.9, 0?c?0.5, 0?d?0.1, and 0.7?m?1.3. The piezoelectric ceramic composition is not sintering resistant and has desired, sufficient piezoelectric properties as well as a sufficient firing temperature range suitable for mass production. Furthermore, the piezoelectric ceramic composition is effective in preventing insufficient polarization and effective in increasing the yield of products.

Abstract: A resonant actuator includes a driving unit having a displacement element that vibrates at a resonance frequency or in a frequency range in the vicinity of a resonance frequency and having a driven member that is driven by the displacement element, in which the displacement element has a piezoelectric ceramic body made of a bismuth layered compound. The displacement direction of the displacement element is preferably substantially the same as the direction of polarization of the piezoelectric ceramic body. The bismuth layered compound is preferably oriented such that the direction of the c crystallographic axis is substantially perpendicular to the direction of polarization of the piezoelectric ceramic body. More preferably, the degree of c-axis orientation is determined to be at least about 75% by the Lotgering method.

Abstract: A monolithic piezoelectric part capable of yielding a high piezoelectric d constant and suppressing reduction in reliability such as deterioration in insulation resistance can be obtained by a method for manufacturing a monolithic piezoelectric part wherein a piezoelectric ceramic body is formed of a perovskite compound oxide expressed by the general formula of ABO3, and the molar quantity of the A site component, Pb, is reduced by about 0.5 mol % to 5.0 mol % from that of the stoichiometric composition, ceramic raw materials are combined so that the average valence of the B site component is greater than quadrivalent, which is the same as the stoichiometric composition, to synthesize the ceramic powdered raw material, which is processed subsequently to fabricate a layered article, and the layered article is subjected to sintering processing within an atmosphere wherein the oxygen concentration is about 5% or less but more than 0% by volume.

Abstract: A piezoelectric ceramic composition includes a primary component represented by the formula (1-x)(K1-a-bNaaLib)m(Nb1-c-dTacSbd)O3-xM1nM2O3, and 0.1 to 10 moles (preferably 1.5 to 10 moles) of at least one specific element selected from the group consisting of In, Sc, Y, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb, and Lu with respect to 100 moles of the primary component, wherein M1 is Ca, Sr, or Ba M2 is Ti, Zr, or Sn; and x, a, b, c, d, m, and n satisfy 0.005?x?0.1, 0?a?0.9, 0?b?0.3, 0?a+b?0.9, 0?c?0.5, 0?d?0.1, 0.9?m?1.1, and 0.9?n?1.1. Preferably, Mn, Ni, Fe, Zn, Cu, or Mg is further added. As a result, at both a very low and a high electric field, a high piezoelectric d constant can be stably obtained with a high efficiency.

Abstract: A piezoelectric ceramic composition is represented by [(Pb1-xXx)a{(Nib/3Nb2/3)cTidZr1-c-d}O3] in which X is at least one of Sr, Ba, Ca and La), and the compositional amounts x, a, b, c, and d respectively satisfy 0.001?x?0.1, 0.930?a?0.998, 1.02?b?1.40, 0.1?c?0.6 and 0.3?d?0.6. The specific surface area of the material powder before firing is preferably set to 5 m2/g or more. A piezoelectric ceramic body 1 is fabricated using the piezoelectric ceramic composition. In this manner, a sufficiently high piezoelectric constant can be obtained not only in the electric field range of 400 to 500 V/mm but also in an electric field range of 1 kV/mm or more. Furthermore, a piezoelectric ceramic composition that can be fired at a low-temperature and a piezoelectric ceramic electronic component using this composition can be provided.

Abstract: A main component has a general formula of {(1?x)(K1-a-bNaaLib)m(Nb1-c-dTacSbd)O3-x(M10.5Bi0.5)nM2O3} (wherein M1 is Ca, Sr or Ba, M2 is Ti, Zr or Sn, 0.005?x?0.5, 0?a?0.9, 0?b?0.3, 0?a+b?0.9, 0?c?0.5, 0?d?0.1, 0.9?m?1.1, and 0.9?n?1.1). At least one specific element selected from the group consisting of In, Sc, Y, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb and Lu is contained at as in sample numbers 46 to 48, 0.1 to 10 mol in total per 100 mols of the main component (preferably, 1.5 to 10 mol). This provides a piezoelectric ceramic composition and a piezoelectric ceramic electronic component that can have a desired high piezoelectric d constant in a consistent and highly efficient manner in both a very low electric field and a high electric field.

Abstract: A piezoelectric ceramic composition is expressed by the formula Pb&agr;[{Niw/3Nb1−(w/3)}xTiyZrz]O3. The B site variables x, y, and z lie in a predetermined region in a ternary diagram. The Ni—Nb molar proportion variable satisfies the relationship 0.85≦w<1.00. The Pb molar content &agr; is reduced from the stoichiometric ratio to a value satisfying the relationship 0.950≦&agr;≦0.995. At least one element selected from the group consisting of Sr, Ca, and Ba may be substituted for about 10 mol percent of the Pb.

Abstract: A monolithic piezoelectric part capable of yielding a high piezoelectric d constant and suppressing reduction in reliability such as deterioration in insulation resistance can be obtained by a method for manufacturing a monolithic piezoelectric part wherein a piezoelectric ceramic body is formed of a perovskite compound oxide expressed by the general formula of ABO3, and the molar quantity of the A site component, Pb, is reduced by about 0.5 mol % to 5.0 mol % from that of the stoichiometric composition, ceramic raw materials are combined so that the average valence of the B site component is greater than quadrivalent, which is the same as the stoichiometric composition, to synthesize the ceramic powdered raw material, which is processed subsequently to fabricate a layered article, and the layered article is subjected to sintering processing within an atmosphere wherein the oxygen concentration is about 5% or less but more than 0% by volume.

Abstract: A piezoelectric ceramic composition is expressed by the formula Pb&agr;[{Niw/3Nb1-(w/3)}xTiyZrz]O3. The B site variables x, y, and z lie in a predetermined region in a ternary diagram. The Ni—Nb molar proportion variable satisfies the relationship 0.85≦w<1.00. The Pb molar content &agr; is reduced from the stoichiometric ratio to a value satisfying the relationship 0.950≦&agr;≦0.995. At least one element selected from the group consisting of Sr, Ca, and Ba may be substituted for about 10 mol percent of the Pb.

Abstract: A piezoelectric ceramic material is provided which can form a sintered piezoelectric ceramic compact having a low electromechanical coupling coefficient, a low resonant resistance and a low temperature dependence of the resonant frequency. The piezoelectric ceramic material is a solid solution having a primary component composed of PbTiO3, PbZrO3 and Pb(MaXMdY)O3, in which Ma is at least one bivalent element or trivalent element, and Md is at least one pentavalent element or hexavalent element, and the ratio X/Y of the Ma content X to the Md content Y is larger than the stoichiometric ratio. Preferred is Ma being Mn, Md being at least one of Nb, Sb, Ta and W, and when the contents of Mn, Nb, Sb, Ta and W are represented by A, B, C, D and E, respectively, 0.525≦A/(B+C+D+2E)≦1, and about 20 mole percent or less of the element Pb being replaced by at least one of Ca, Ba, Sr and La.