Abstract: A piezoelectric ceramic composition includes a bismuth layered compound containing Sr, Bi, Nb and a metal element other than Bi having a valence of 3. The bismuth layered compound satisfies the relational expressions: 0.275<a/c<0.5; 0.9≦b/c≦1; 0<x/c≦0.175; and 0.5<(a+3x/2)/c≦0.7, where a, b, c and x represent the molar fractions of Sr, Bi, Nb, and the metal element other than Bi having a valence of 3, respectively. Thus, a piezoelectric ceramic composition mainly containing a bismuth layered compound whose bismuth content is equal to or less than the stoichiometric value and not substantially containing lead and which can be advantageously used for piezoelectric ceramic elements exhibiting a Qmax-factor sufficient for practical use can be achieved.

Abstract: A piezoelectric element includes a plurality of piezoelectric layers composed of a piezoelectric material containing Sr, Bi, Ti, and O, at least three vibration electrodes opposing each other, each disposed among the piezoelectric layers, and an energy-confining region formed in a region in which the vibration electrodes overlap, the energy-confining region being parallel to the planes of the vibration electrodes and exciting an n-th order longitudinal thickness vibration. The maximum length L of a secant between two intersections on the periphery of the energy-confining region and the distance t between the topmost vibration electrode and the bottommost vibration electrode satisfy the relationship nL/t of less than 10. The piezoelectric element is thermally stable and has a narrow allowable error.

Abstract: A feedback circuit and amplifiers using a vibrator comprising a piezoelectric body having a bismuth layered compound as the main ingredient thereof are provided so as to generate oscillation. Load capacitors comprising the feedback circuit together with the vibrator are formed. These load capacitors each have, as the main ingredient thereof, a dielectric body which decreases in the relative dielectric constant with the increase in temperature in the region not less than one half the temperature range from −20 to 80° C., and in which the &egr;-TC is not less than 5000 ppm/° C., wherein the &egr;-TC is an average change rate of the relative dielectric constant in the above-described temperature range and is represented by (Cmax−Cmin)/(C20·100), where Cmax is the maximum value of capacitance in the above-described temperature range, Cmin is the minimum value of capacitance in the above-described temperature range, and C20 is the capacitance at 20° C.

Abstract: A laminate type piezoelectric element having an improved piezoelectric property is provided. Vibration electrodes are arranged in a piezoelectric body, and high-order vibration of the thickness vibration is excited. The piezoelectric ceramic includes two ceramic piezoelectric layers which are laminated, and are integrally formed. Each of the ceramic piezoelectric layers contains ceramic crystal grains having shape anisotropy and spontaneous polarization preferentially oriented in one plane. The in-plane direction of this plane is perpendicular to the principal surfaces of the ceramic piezoelectric layers. The ceramic piezoelectric layers are polarized in the same thickness direction.

Abstract: A piezoelectric ceramic composition includes a bismuth layered compound containing Sr, Bi, Nb and a metal element other than Bi having a valence of 3. The bismuth layered compound satisfies the relational expressions: 0.275<a/c<0.5; 0.9≦b/c≦1; 0<x/c≦0.175; and 0.5<(a+3x/2)/c≦0.7, where a, b, c and x represent the molar fractions of Sr, Bi, Nb, and the metal element other than Bi having a valence of 3, respectively. Thus, a piezoelectric ceramic composition mainly containing a bismuth layered compound whose bismuth content is equal to or less than the stoichiometric value and not substantially containing lead and which can be advantageously used for piezoelectric ceramic elements exhibiting a Qmax-factor sufficient for practical use can be achieved.

Abstract: A piezoelectric ceramic composition contains a compound containing Na, Li, Nb and O, and having a perovskite structure, as a main component. The main component has a crystal phase in a semi-stable state at room temperature, such crystal phase originally not being stable at room temperature but being stable at a higher temperature.

Abstract: A feedback circuit and amplifiers using a vibrator comprising a piezoelectric body having a bismuth layered compound as the main ingredient thereof are provided so as to generate oscillation. Load capacitors comprising the feedback circuit together with the vibrator are formed. These load capacitors each have, as the main ingredient thereof, a dielectric body which decreases in the relative dielectric constant with the increase in temperature in the region not less than one half the temperature range from −20 to 80° C., and in which the &egr;-TC is not less than 5000 ppm/° C., wherein the &egr;-TC is an average change rate of the relative dielectric constant in the above-described temperature range and is represented by (Cmax−Cmin)/(C20·100), where Cmax is the maximum value of capacitance in the above-described temperature range, Cmin is the minimum value of capacitance in the above-described temperature range, and C20 is the capacitance at 20° C.

Abstract: A piezoelectric element includes a plurality of piezoelectric layers composed of a piezoelectric material containing Sr, Bi, Ti, and O, at least three vibration electrodes opposing each other, each disposed among the piezoelectric layers, and an energy-confining region formed in a region in which the vibration electrodes overlap, the energy-confining region being parallel to the planes of the vibration electrodes and exciting an n-th order longitudinal thickness vibration. The maximum length L of a secant between two intersections on the periphery of the energy-confining region and the distance t between the topmost vibration electrode and the bottommost vibration electrode satisfy the relationship nL/t of less than 10. The piezoelectric element is thermally stable and has a narrow allowable error.

Abstract: Provided is a piezoelectric ceramic compact useful as a material for a piezoelectric ceramic compact device or the like, having SrBi4Ti4O15 as a main component, containing no or a small amount of lead or lead compound, and exhibiting a Qmax improved to a level permitting practical use application. The piezoelectric ceramic compact includes a bismuth layer compound as a main component composed of Sr, Bi, Ti and oxygen, and when the molar ratio of Sr, Bi and Ti of the bismuth layer compound as the main component is a:b:c, the relations of 0.13≦a/c<0.25 and 3.5≦(2a+3b)/c≦3.75 are satisfied.

Abstract: A piezoelectric ceramic composition contains a compound containing Na, Li, Nb and O, and having a perovskite structure, as a main component. The main component has a crystal phase in a semi-stable state at room temperature, such crystal phase originally not being stable at room temperature but being stable at a higher temperature.

Abstract: A piezoelectric element includes a plurality of piezoelectric layers which contain a bismuth layer compound as the main component of the piezoelectric ceramic composition. The piezoelectric layers are provided with electrodes containing Pd as a main component so that the piezoelectric layers vibrate. At least one of the electrodes and the piezoelectric ceramic composition contains Ag.

Abstract: A piezoelectric device having an electromechanical coefficient, which can be applied to practical uses, is obtained by an energy-trapping effect using a piezoelectric ceramic having a layered perovskite structure provided with high-temperature resistance and little high-frequency loss. The piezoelectric device has a substrate formed of a piezoelectric ceramic having a layered perovskite structure. The c-axis in the substrate is preferentially oriented in the width direction thereof, and the substrate is polarized in the longitudinal direction. Two electrodes are formed on both main surfaces of the substrate so as to oppose each other in the vicinity of the central part thereof. As a material used for the substrate, a piezoelectric ceramic composition primarily composed of a ceramic composition represented by the general formula CaBi4Ti4O15 is preferably used.

Abstract: A piezoelectric resonator which achieves a compact oscillator with high performance having high thermal resistance and a narrow tolerance includes an element body having an excitation layer and a non-excitation layer. One vibration electrode is provided on the surface of the excitation layer and another vibration electrode is provided between the excitation layer and the non-excitation layer. The two vibration electrodes extend from opposing ends of the excitation layer toward the approximate central portion thereof so as to oppose each other at the approximate central portion of the excitation layer. On end-surfaces of the element body, end-surface electrodes are connected to the vibration electrodes, respectively.

Abstract: A piezoelectric element includes a plurality of piezoelectric layers which contain a bismuth layer compound as the main component of the piezoelectric ceramic composition. The piezoelectric layers are provided with electrodes containing Pd as a main component so that the piezoelectric layers vibrate. At least one of the electrodes and the piezoelectric ceramic composition contains Ag.

Abstract: In a piezoelectric ceramic containing a bismuth layer compound containing Ca, Bi, Ti, and O, as a main component, the molar ratio of Ca to Bi to Ti in the bismuth layer compound, which is the main component, is represented by a:b:c and formulas 0.15≦a/c<0.25 and 3.5≦(2a+3b)/c≦3.88 are satisfied.

Abstract: A ceramic powder of grains having a shape-anisotropy is mixed with a calcined or uncalcined (or both) powder of a ceramic raw material. A ceramic slurry containing the produced mixed powder, a solvent and a binder is prepared and the ceramic slurry is formed into a sheet. A laminate comprising a plurality of the sheets laminated to each other is uniaxially pressed to form an oriented product in such a manner that the length of the laminate in the direction parallel to the pressing axis becomes larger than that before the pressing, and the area of a plane perpendicular to the pressing axis of the laminate becomes larger than that before the pressing. The oriented formed product is fired and sintered.

Abstract: A piezoelectric ceramic compact is provided as an effective material for forming piezoelectric ceramic devices and the like, and is primarily composed SrBi2Nb2O9 containing no lead nor lead compounds or containing a little amount thereof, and has a maximum value Qmax improved to a level suitable for practical use. In the piezoelectric ceramic compact primarily having a bismuth-based layered compound containing Sr, Bi, Nb and oxygen, when the molar ratio of Sr, Bi and Nb contained as primary components in the bismuth-based layered compound is represented by a: b: c, the relationships represented by 0.275≦a/c<0.5 and 4≦(2a +3b)/c≦4.5 are satisfied.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit (LSI) in which control information for determining a voltage or a width of a pulse produced itself can easily be set in parallel with other LSIs, and set information can be corrected easily. From an external evaluation device, a voltage of an expected value is supplied in overlapping manner to a plurality of LSIs each having a CPU and a flash memory. Each LSI incorporates a comparison circuit comparing an expected voltage value and a boosted voltage generated in itself. The CPU refers to a comparison result and optimizes control data in a data register for changing a boosted voltage. The CPU controls the comparison circuit and the data register and performs trimming in a self-completion manner, thereby making, trimming on a plurality of LSIs easily in a parallel manner and a total test time reduced.

Abstract: A piezoelectric element contains a piezoelectric ceramic body having a layered perovskite structure, and has the C axis selected and oriented in the thickness direction. In the piezoelectric ceramic body, line shaped electrodes are formed perpendicular to the C axis selected and oriented. The electrodes exposed at both of the end faces of the piezoelectric ceramic body are covered with conductive materials and insulation materials. The piezoelectric ceramic body is polarized in the opposite directions on both of the sides of electrodes arranged in the width direction. Moreover, external electrodes are formed on the faces where the conductive materials and the insulation materials are formed, whereby two groups of the electrodes are arranged in an interdigital electrode form.

Abstract: A piezoelectric device having an electromechanical coefficient, which can be applied to practical uses, is obtained by an energy-trapping effect using a piezoelectric ceramic having a layered perovskite structure provided with high-temperature resistance and little high-frequency loss. The piezoelectric device has a substrate formed of a piezoelectric ceramic having a layered perovskite structure. The c-axis in the substrate is preferentially oriented in the width direction thereof, and the substrate is polarized in the longitudinal direction. Two electrodes are formed on both main surfaces of the substrate so as to oppose each other in the vicinity of the central part thereof. As a material used for the substrate, a piezoelectric ceramic composition primarily composed of a ceramic composition represented by the general formula CaBi4Ti4O15 is preferably used.