Effect of Bi-substitution on the dielectric properties of polycrystalline yttrium iron garnet

The effect of Bi-substitution on the dielectric properties of yttrium iron garnet (YIG) was studied in this paper. The Bi-substituted YIG (YIG:Bi) polycrystalline samples, having composition of Y_3−xBi_xFe₅O₁₂, were prepared by the solid-state reaction method. x varied from 0 to 1.2. The phase formation and microstructure were performed by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. Ions valency was identified by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The impedance analyzers are used to measure the frequency dependence and the temperature dependence of relative dielectric constant (_r) and loss tangent (tan δ). The experimental results show that the Bi-substitution lowers the phase formation and sintering temperature. Electronic carrier concentration drops dramatically due to limitation of ferric valency variation. Hence, _r and tan δ decrease with addition of Bi. Dispersion characteristic indicates non-Debye-type dispersion. A maximum of _r appears as the temperature rises.