LiTaO3 CLT
Grade · default condition
CLT = congruent-composition single crystal, poled optical/general grade
Standard Czochralski congruent crystal (Li/(Li+Ta) ≈ 0.485) — default for general piezo, EO and pyroelectric use.
Values for the CLT condition
Other LiTaO3 tempers and conditions
LiTaO3 is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at LiTaO3.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CLTDefaultThis page Congruent-composition single crystal, poled optical/general grade | Standard Czochralski congruent crystal (Li/(Li+Ta) ≈ 0.485) — default for general piezo, EO and pyroelectric use. | — | — | — | 900 HV | 5 W/m·K |
36° rotated Y-cut, X-propagation SAW wafer | Classic high-coupling shear-horizontal SAW cut for RF filters and duplexers up to a few GHz. | — | — | — | 900 HV | 4 W/m·K |
42° rotated Y-cut, X-propagation leaky-SAW wafer | Preferred cut for low-loss leaky-SAW ladder filters in mobile RF front-ends; also base for POI/bonded thin-film SAW. | — | — | — | 900 HV | 4 W/m·K |
Near-stoichiometric LiTaO₃ | Pick when a higher Curie point, much lower coercive field for periodic poling, and lower optical damage/absorption are needed. | — | — | — | 920 HV | 5 W/m·K |
Black (chemically reduced) Z-cut LiTaO₃ | Reduced, opaque and semiconducting-surfaced material: bleeds off pyroelectric charge and absorbs IR directly — standard for pyroelectric detectors and thermal sensors. | — | — | — | 930 HV | 5 W/m·K |
Z-cut clear wafer | Use for pyroelectric IR detectors, THz emitters and electro-optic elements where optical clarity along c is required. | — | — | — | 940 HV | 5 W/m·K |
What is LiTaO3 CLT?
LiTaO3 CLT is LiTaO3 in the CLT grade — standard Czochralski congruent crystal (Li/(Li+Ta) ≈ 0.485) — default for general piezo, EO and pyroelectric use. The elastic modulus is 225 GPa (32.6 Msi). LiTaO3 CLT has a density of 7.45 g/cm³ (0.269 lb/in³), heavier than 72% of ceramic grades. It melts at 1,650°C (3,002 °F).
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 90/100, better than 78% of ceramic grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 120 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 99% of ceramic grades
- Low fracture toughness — 0.9 MPa·√m (0.819 ksi·√in), worse than 96% of ceramic grades
LiTaO3 CLT properties
Typical room-temperature values for LiTaO3 CLT; 13 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are LiTaO3 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among ceramic grades.
Physical5
LiTaO3 CLT has a density of 7.45 g/cm³ (0.269 lb/in³), heavier than 72% of ceramic grades. It melts at 1,650°C (3,002 °F).
Mechanical10
The elastic modulus is 225 GPa (32.6 Msi).
Thermal5
LiTaO3 CLT is rated for continuous service to 500°C (932 °F). It conducts heat at 4.6 W/m·K (2.66 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 63% of ceramic grades. Thermal expansion is 16.1 µm/m·K (8.94 µin/in·°F).
Electrical4
LiTaO3 CLT has an electrical resistivity of 1×10¹¹ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is very good (70/100), worse than 59% of ceramic grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of LiTaO3 CLT takes about 1,800 MJ of energy and emits 120 kg of CO₂ — more than 99% of ceramic grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability2
LiTaO3 CLT's machinability is not recommended (10/100, better than 76% of ceramic grades).
Common Calculations2
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with LiTaO3 CLT
Is LiTaO3 easy to machine?
Diamond wire/ID sawing, lapping and CMP only — no conventional cutting; keep heating/cooling below ~2 °C/min because pyroelectric charge and 4:1 CTE anisotropy crack wafers.
Can LiTaO3 be welded?
Not weldable; joined by direct/plasma-activated wafer bonding to Si or quartz (POI/TC-SAW stacks), or by low-stress adhesives and solders.
Can LiTaO3 be formed, bent or molded?
Shape is set by Czochralski growth of the boule, single-domain poling near the Curie point, then orientation-controlled slicing (±0.05° cut-angle tolerance for SAW).
What surface finishes work on LiTaO3?
CMP to <0.5 nm Ra with sub-nm TTV for photolithography; HF etch reveals domains; Al or Ti/Au IDT metallization sputtered, with anti-reflection coatings for optical parts.
LiTaO3 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Li2Ocongruent melt ≈ 48.5 mol% Li2O; SLT grade ≈ 50 mol% | 12.4 – 12.9 | 12.7 |
| Fetypical trace-impurity limit in device-grade crystal | ≤ 5×10⁻⁴ | — |
| Nbresidual Nb from Ta2O5 feedstock | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Ta2O5≈ 87.3 wt%; Ta 76.7 wt%, O 20.4 wt%, Li 2.9 wt% on an elemental basis | balance | — |
LiTaO3 CLT — frequently asked
What is LiTaO3 CLT used for?
LiTaO3 CLT is typically used for SAW filters, pyroelectric IR detectors and frequency control devices. In short: higher-temperature SAW crystal; pyroelectric detector standard; crack-prone on thermal ramps.
Is LiTaO3 CLT easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (10/100, better than 76% of ceramic grades). Diamond wire/ID sawing, lapping and CMP only — no conventional cutting; keep heating/cooling below ~2 °C/min because pyroelectric charge and 4:1 CTE anisotropy crack wafers.
Can LiTaO3 CLT be welded?
Not weldable; joined by direct/plasma-activated wafer bonding to Si or quartz (POI/TC-SAW stacks), or by low-stress adhesives and solders.
What surface finishes work on LiTaO3 CLT?
CMP to <0.5 nm Ra with sub-nm TTV for photolithography; HF etch reveals domains; Al or Ti/Au IDT metallization sputtered, with anti-reflection coatings for optical parts.
Can LiTaO3 CLT be formed, bent or molded?
Shape is set by Czochralski growth of the boule, single-domain poling near the Curie point, then orientation-controlled slicing (±0.05° cut-angle tolerance for SAW).
What is the maximum service temperature of LiTaO3 CLT?
LiTaO3 CLT is rated for continuous use to about 500°C (932 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- Properties of Lithium Niobate / Lithium Tantalate (EMIS Datareviews) — INSPEC/IEE (2002)
- Landolt-Börnstein, Group III: Ferroelectrics and Related Substances — Springer (2002)
- LiTaO3 single-crystal wafer specifications (SAW / optical / black grades) — Yamaju Ceramics / CETC / Fujian crystal producers (2024)
- GB/T (industry wafer spec practice) — SAC/GB (2019)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.