The Study of Nonlinear Processes in Ferroelectric Ceramics in Weak Electric Fields

A new method for studying nonlinear processes in ferroelectric ceramics under the action of external factors is proposed, which is based on the measurement and analysis of piezoelectric resonance spectra. The proposed method provides high-accuracy determination of complex parameters, including the elastic, dielectric, and piezoelectric constants of studied ferroelectric materials, and their changes caused by external factors. The nonlinear processes were studied by measuring the complex electromechanical parameters of “soft” ferroelectric ceramics based on lead zirconate titanate (PZT) as functions of the applied constant electric field. A physical interpretation of the obtained results is suggested.