Black Lithium Niobate & Lithium Tantalate Wafers
Jingxin New Materials supplies black lithium niobate wafer and black lithium tantalate wafer products — a proprietary reduction treatment that neutralizes surface charge and suppresses the pyroelectric effect, available in standard and super black grades.
Black-grade wafers undergo a proprietary reduction treatment that gives the crystal the ability to neutralize surface charge, reducing the pyroelectric effect that standard LN and LT wafers exhibit under thermal fluctuation.
Why Suppress the Pyroelectric Effect
LiNbO3 and LiTaO3 are naturally pyroelectric — as temperature changes, the crystal builds up surface charge. Left unmanaged, that charge can trigger electrostatic discharge during handling and dicing, interfere with electrode deposition and bonding, and show up as drift in device response as the charge slowly redistributes — a real problem in SAW devices operating across variable temperature environments. Black lithium niobate and lithium tantalate wafers address this directly: the reduction treatment gives the crystal the ability to neutralize surface charge as it forms, rather than letting it accumulate.
Untreated LN / LT
Surface charge accumulates with temperature change — the pyroelectric effect is present and untreated. Suitable for applications with stable, controlled operating temperatures.
Reduction-Treated LN / LT
Surface charge is neutralized as it forms, reducing pyroelectric interference. Better suited to devices exposed to thermal fluctuation during operation or handling.
Applications for Black-Grade Wafers
Black-grade material is specified wherever pyroelectric charge buildup is a real operating or manufacturing risk, not just a theoretical concern.
SAW Filters in Variable-Temperature Environments
Outdoor base stations and automotive RF front-ends cycle through wide temperature swings during operation. Suppressing surface charge buildup keeps filter response consistent instead of drifting with ambient temperature.
Electro-Optic Modulators
Charge buildup in the substrate can shift the effective refractive index over time, degrading modulation accuracy. Black-grade material keeps this drift from accumulating during device operation.
Wafer-Level Processing & Handling
Electrostatic discharge from surface charge buildup during dicing, electrode deposition or bonding can damage thin-film structures. Black-grade wafers reduce this risk during your own downstream processing.
Standard Black vs Super Black: Which Grade Fits Your Application
Both grades use the same reduction treatment; Super Black achieves a lower, more tightly controlled bulk resistivity range.
Broader Resistivity Range
Available for both black-grade LiNbO3 and black-grade LiTaO3. A solid general-purpose choice for most pyroelectric-sensitive applications.
Lower, Tighter Resistivity Range
Currently available for black-grade LiTaO3. A tighter resistivity control for applications with stricter charge-neutralization requirements.
Black Lithium Niobate Wafer Specifications
Electrical properties of black lithium niobate wafer, Standard Black.
| Bulk Resistivity | 1.0E+10 ~ 9.9E+10 Ω·cm |
|---|---|
| Bulk Conductivity | 1.00E-10 ~ 1.00E-11 Ω⁻¹·cm⁻¹ |
Super Black grade data for LiNbO3 is not yet available — contact us for the latest specifications.
Black-Grade LiTaO3 Wafers
Electrical properties of black lithium tantalate wafer, Standard Black and Super Black.
| Bulk Resistivity (Standard Black) | 0.9E+11 ~ 9.0E+11 Ω·cm |
|---|---|
| Bulk Resistivity (Super Black) | 1.0E+10 ~ 9.0E+10 Ω·cm |
| Bulk Conductivity (Standard Black) | 1.11E-11 ~ 1.11E-12 Ω⁻¹·cm⁻¹ |
| Bulk Conductivity (Super Black) | 1.0E-10 ~ 1.11E-11 Ω⁻¹·cm⁻¹ |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about black-grade wafers, availability and customization.
What does "black" mean for LN/LT wafers?
Black-grade wafers undergo a proprietary reduction treatment that neutralizes surface charge, reducing the pyroelectric effect seen in standard-grade wafers under temperature change.
What applications use black-grade wafers?
Black-grade LN and LT are typically chosen for SAW and piezoelectric devices operating in environments with thermal fluctuation, where pyroelectric charge buildup could otherwise affect device performance.
What's the difference between Standard Black and Super Black?
Both grades use the same reduction treatment; Super Black achieves a lower, more tightly controlled bulk resistivity range. See the specification tables above for exact values.
Is the blackening treatment available for both LN and LT?
Yes — both LiNbO3 and LiTaO3 can be supplied in black-grade. Super Black grade data is currently only available for LiTaO3.
Can I get black-grade wafers in custom diameters or orientations?
Yes — black-grade treatment is applied to our standard LN and LT wafer specifications. See LiNbO3 wafers or LiTaO3 wafers for available diameters and orientations.
Need Black-Grade Wafers for Your Design?
Tell us your material, grade, diameter and thickness — we'll get back with a quote.