Depolarization of a Pb(Zr52Ti48)O3 Polycrystalline Piezoelectric Energy-Carrying Element of Compact Pulsed Power Generator by a Longitudinal Shock Wave

A poled lead zirconate titanate Pb(Zr
₅₂
Ti
₄₈
)O
₃
polycrystalline piezoelectric ceramic energy-carrying element of a compact explosive-driven pulsed power generator was depolarized by an explosive shock wave traveling along the polarization vector P
₀
. We show that shock wave compression of a ferroelectric energy- carrying element at pressures of 1.5-3.8 GPa caused almost complete depolarization of the sample. The shock wave velocity in the Pb(Zr
₅₂
Ti
₄₈
)O
₃
was determined to be 3.94 plusmn 0.27 km/s. The electric charge stored in the ferroelectrics, due to their remnant polarization, is released during a short time interval, and can be transformed into pulsed power. Compact explosive-driven sources of primary power utilizing longitudinal shock wave depolarization of Pb(Zr
₅₂
Ti
₄₈
)O
₃
are capable of producing pulses of high voltage, with amplitudes up to 22 kV and peak powers up to 0.35 MW.