COMSOL _ frequency response of piezoelectric device

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on modeling the frequency response of a thin PZT disc using COMSOL, specifically how to calculate impedance (Z) and phase from current density and voltage. The user initially defined current density as I=-imag(nJ_smpz3d) but questioned whether this accurately represents impedance, as their V/I plot did not yield expected results. Another participant suggested that if the model is set up correctly, Z should equal V/I, but emphasized the importance of defining potential differences and damping in the model for accurate results. The user noted resonance frequencies but expressed concerns about the calculated impedance being near zero at lower frequencies. The conversation highlights the need for proper damping to achieve realistic impedance values in the simulation.
luis_cam
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Hi,

I'm trying to model the frequency response of a thin PZT disc using COMSOL, but I am not sure how to calculate the impedance Z vs frequency. I defined the current density at the top electrode as I=-imag(nJ_smpz3d) and then plotted V/I using the domain plot parameters in the postproc menu. This gives me a V/I vs freq plot, but V/I is not equal to Z!

Does anybody know how to calculate Z? And the Phase?

Thanks!
 
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Hmm...

Did you compute the solution for the entire disc or did you make use of the symmetry and only compute the solution for a segment?
 
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In fact I did both cases, the main difference is that when I used symmetries then defined the variable I as I=-imag(nJ_smpz3d)*N, where N is the number of segments contained in the whole disc, i.e., if a 10 deg segment then N=36. I obtained in both ases the same solution.

However the question still remains, and is: how do we, in either case, calculate Z? Is V/I = Z using the difinition above?? Or not? How do I use the current density to calculate Z? and the Phase? Is there a way of calculating Z without defining I?
 
luis_cam said:
In fact I did both cases, the main difference is that when I used symmetries then defined the variable I as I=-imag(nJ_smpz3d)*N, where N is the number of segments contained in the whole disc, i.e., if a 10 deg segment then N=36. I obtained in both ases the same solution.

However the question still remains, and is: how do we, in either case, calculate Z? Is V/I = Z using the difinition above?? Or not? How do I use the current density to calculate Z? and the Phase? Is there a way of calculating Z without defining I?
If you have set up your model correctly V/I should give you the impedance.

How have you defined the potential difference?
 
From the boundary settings dialogue box, I grounded the base of the disc and applied 1V to the top. The rest of boundaries are set at "zero charge/symmetry"
I am using the "frequency response" analysis, and I am varying the frequency from 3 to 4.5 MHz in steps of 0.02MHz (I expect the disc to resonate at around 3.8MHz since it is PZT 0.6 mm thick. I defined I at the top electrode as I=-imag(nJ_smpz3d)

Should I define I=nJ_smpz3d, rather than the imaginary part?
Are you sure Z=V/I, i.e., V/(-imag(nJ_smpz3d))? Do you know how do I find the phase?

Looking at the plot of the results I obtain, there is a resonance at around the right frequency (plus another one at 4.2MHz I don't know where it comes from...), but somehow does not look totally right: Z is flat and near 0 at frequencies lower that the resonance. Then I assume that my definition of I is giving me information about the resonance but Z is not well calculated...

Thanks!
 
if your imedance is zero at resonance, then it means you have not defined damping in your model. By defining damping you lower the Q *quality factor) and hence will provide you with the right resistance (impedance).

Good luck
 

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