US Patent 7354642 Multilayer displacement element

A multilayer displacement element is formed by alternately stacking a plurality of ceramic layers and a multiplicity of internal electrodes, wherein each of the ceramic layers is composed of ceramic grains containing barium titanate as a main component and each of the internal electrodes is a metallic film with a mesh shape. The meshed shape of metallic films leads to a reduced contact area between the metallic films and the ceramic layers. Therefore, the displacement of the ceramic layers can be less restricted by the metallic films and thus the amount of displacement of the ceramic layers can be increased. The ceramic grains preferably have an average diameter equal to or larger than 3.5 μm and it is desirable that the ratio of one grain to one layer for the ceramic layer be equal to or larger than 20%.