Abstract: The present invention provides a piezoelectric ceramic composition, especially a lead-free piezoelectric ceramic composition, with a suitable amount of CeO2 or CeO2-containing complex additives, which is represented by the following formula: (Na0.475K0.475Li0.05)(Nb1-xAx)O3+yCeO2+zBO2 wherein “A” represents Sb or Sb+Ta, “B” represents a tetravalent transition metal, 0?x?0.2, 0.2 wt % <y<1.2 wt % and 0?z 1 wt %. Addition of CeO2 or CeO2-containing complex additives suppresses melting and abnormal grain growth of (Na0.475K0.475Li0.05)(Nb1-xAx)O3 during sintering, thereby improving sinterability and increasing the density of the composition. As a result, the dielectric and piezoelectric properties of the ceramics are enhanced. Furthermore, the represented compositions have a wide sintering temperature range so that the process for preparing such a lead-free piezoelectric ceramic composition has high degree efficiency.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for aligning a bonding tool. A force sensor having a plurality of force sensing sections is configured to measure a force generated by the bonding tool on the force sensor. Each sensing section is adapted to individually detect an amount of force from a part of the bonding tool acting on that sensing section, so that an alignment of the bonding tool may be determined.