Large Ferroelectric Single Crystals For Submarine Sonar Acoustic Technology

Competitive advantage

Expertise in using the optical floating zone method to produce very uniform, high-quality single crystals of ferroelectric materials. Single crystals are a key technology of the future for submarine sonar systems. Owing to their lower impurity levels and absence of grain boundaries, single crystals transmitters have less loss than conventional ceramic transmitters, while sensors using single crystals have significantly higher sensitivity than ceramic types.

Impact

More sensitive, efficient and compact sonar systems

Successful applications

Magnetoelectric sensor project, Office of Naval Research (ONR)

Capabilities and facilities

• Magneto-optical facility for the search of novel multifunctional materials
• Facility for electric and magnetic probes of materials at extreme conditions